Storm drain grate and filter apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A storm water capture and filtration system may secure in a catch basin or other area subject to flows of water from streets, channels, and the like as a result of run off from storms. A filter system may include a capture portion including attachment mechanisms, a funnel, various supports, and a filter hanger designed and calculated to capture all water entering a storm water inlet and directing it toward a bag filter. A gap is provided between a funnel and filter hanger in order to provide accommodation for overflow, while an anti-backflow skirt on the filter bag resists flushing of captured pollution out of the bag in overflow condition.

Related Applications

This application: is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/743,217, filed May 12, 2022; which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/939,956, filed Jul. 27, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No.11,332,918, issued on May 17, 2022; which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/256,771, filed Jan. 24, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No.10,724,224, issued on Jul. 28, 2020; which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Serial Nos. 62/621,260, filed on Jan. 24,2018; 62/621,311, filed on Jan. 24, 2018; 62/621,229, filed on Jan. 24,2018; 62/656,140, filed on Apr. 11, 2018; 62/656,142, filed on Apr. 11,2018; and 62/753,280, filed on Oct. 31, 2018. This application is acontinuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/456,998, filed on Mar. 13, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,334,839, issuedon Jul. 2, 2019; which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/339,122, filed on May 20, 2016 and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/390,510, filed on Mar. 31,2016. All the foregoing references are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

This invention relates to storm drains and, more particularly, to novelsystems and methods for filtering storm drains.

Background Art

Storm water and other runoff is typically passed through grates into astorm water collection system, and ultimately to a storm sewer network.This differs from the sanitary sewer system, although sanitary sewersystems sometimes do empty into water waves and water bodies includinglakes and oceans as well as streams and rivers. Nevertheless, pollutionranges from trash, to organic materials such as lawn clippings, leavesfallen from trees, broken branches, twigs, and onto packaging, brokenparts of articles, broken articles from passing vehicles, the crumbs ofrubber work from tires, and so forth.

Pollution comes also by virtue of leaching of materials which becomedissolved in water, or are simply carried by the water. For example,hydrocarbons such as oils, fuels, and so forth may mix with water evenwithout becoming dissolved therein. Meanwhile, other dissolved solidsmay be taken in by water. Moreover, other more rare chemicals, such asheavy metals, and the like may be leached, reacted, or otherwise takenup by water, other solvents that may spill into water, and so forth.

Certain intentional waste such as cigarette filters and cigarette buttsare a major contribution. Accordingly, typical thoroughfares (highways,roads, streets, alleys, sidewalks, and so forth) may accumulatepollution which may then be carried away by precipitation from rain,snow, or irrigation water, and other sources. Thus, roads are crowned,higher near the center than near the edges. This tends to move water,for safety particularly, toward the edges of the thoroughfare, oftenbordered by gutters and curbs, and sometimes not bounded at all.

In the case of thoroughfares provided with drains therein, curb andgutter at the edge thereof, and the like, catch basins are areas belowinlets or grates intended to collect runoff water and pass it into acatch basin from which it may eventually pass out of an exit line orpipe to join with a main network of ditches, pipes, or the like carryingit away, typically to a body of water such as a river, creek, pond,lake, or ocean. The use of a grate is typically on the main expense of athoroughfare or a gutter. Meanwhile, from a gutter, a throat may beformed, covered by a hood thereabove in the curb region at the edge of athoroughfare. Accordingly, the curb box created by the hood provides ahorizontal access into a catch basin therebelow.

As certain pollution becomes more problematic in areas of high trafficor large populations, storm sewer systems become a greater threat toenvironmental quality in waterways, and water bodies. Waterwaystypically represent moving water such as creeks, streams, rivers, andthe like, while water bodies represent more quiescent waters such asexist behind dams, in ponds, lakes, and so forth. Oceans may representwater bodies, although they constitute about three quarters of thesurface of the earth.

With unfiltered waters passing into storm sewer systems, at least twoproblems are presented. One is damage to waters and another is cloggingof the storm sewer or drain network. Thus, it would be an advance in theart to provide for pollution capture in one or several of itsinstantiations right in a catch basin before the water (as carrier)exits to join the remainder of the network. However, this necessarilyimplies consideration of the entire length of the flow from its originto its ultimate disposition, with consideration of what to remove fromthe water, how to remove it, and where to remove it effectively.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, in accordance with the invention as embodiedand broadly described herein, a method and apparatus are disclosed inone embodiment of the present invention as including an apparatusconfigured as a storm drain filtering system. The apparatus may includea structure to be positioned between a thoroughfare (sidewalk, street,road, highway, alley, and so forth) and a catch basin (a term used inits conventional sense as an incoming basin for receiving runoff water,particularly storm water) and considered in whole as a storm sewer orstorm drain system.

The structure may include framing, anchors, connectors, and the likesupporting a funnel. A funnel will typically be responsible to collectthe passing into a catch basin by any inlet. Inlets may include a curbinlet, a street inlet, a gutter inlet, and so forth.

In certain embodiments, a hanger or filter hanger is suspended below thefunnel and spaced apart therefrom. In this way, a hanger provides a gapbetween itself and the funnel in order to allow overflow to exit, whenthe flow through the funnel is greater than can be handled by a filtersuspended below the hanger. Thus, the overflow space between the funneland hanger may be screened, may have mesh, net, or the like surroundingit, but may also simply be open, in recognition of the fact that thepersistence with storm typically carries less debris and less pollution,and especially in lower concentration thereof after the initial fewminutes (about a quarter hour) from initiation of a lengthy storm.

A filter may suspend below the hanger, and may include a rim that isrendered impassable through the hanger by virtue of a stiff hoop sewn orotherwise retained within a rim portion of the filter. The filter may beconfigured as a bag formed of a suitable material, starting as a sheettype of material, and be capable of filtering out pollution of someparticular mesh size that will fit within or be stopped by a specificmesh size. Accordingly, pollution that is swept along with water into astorm system may pass through one or more thicknesses of a sheetmaterial configured in a bag shape to temporarily capture water andcontained pollution, and pass thereafter cleaned or cleaner water.

Typical pollution may include solids, typically constituting sedimentand debris. Herein, sediment refers to materials that are heavier thanwater and will therefore settle readily below or at the bottom ofquiescent water, and debris constituting materials that are lighter indensity or lower in density than water. This is not an exactdistinction. However, debris typically results from organic matter,plant matter (grass, tree clippings, broken tree limbs, fallen leaves,and so forth) as well as trash, wrappers, and so forth. One readilyrecognizes that car parts breaking off of an automobile and droppinginto the street to be swept into a gutter are a debris constituent andcannot readily be considered sediment. However, such should be removedby a grate over a storm sewer entry point and thereby would not becomepart of the consideration in a filter system in accordance with theinvention.

Typically, a filter bag in accordance with the invention will include anet or a neck. This net or neck is a structure comprising a porousmedium, which may even be the same material through which at least onelayer of the filter bag is formed. The purpose of this net is to suspenddown inside an opening or rim of a filter bag and proceed downwardtherefrom from the height and diameter of the rim of the filter bag, toa lower and smaller diameter.

Accordingly, when an overflow condition exists such that water entersthrough the net and into the filter bag at a rate greater than thefilter bag can pass, then the net or neck will be positioned to containthe churning water that goes down near the center of the bag, andtherefore turns upward along a wall or the filter media containedtherein.

The net or neck, therefore, can be responsible to keep in certain sizes,such as a nominal five millimeter particle of debris still within theinterior of the filter bag and the churning water therein.

Meanwhile, water that has passed downward through the center opening ofthe neck, and then churns upward will carry floating or entraineddebris. Debris will not always be floating, but will typically beentrained, whether floating on the top surface of water or distributedtherethrough and “water logged” to nearly the density of the surroundingwater.

In certain embodiments, the rim contains a hoop disposed therein whichis rigid, and structure is strong enough to maintain a shape of the rimand incapable of passing through the hanger. In this way, the flexiblebag of the wall may respond to the presence of water or capturedpollution, and be capable of horizontal movement below the hanger, andpermeable to water. Nevertheless, the flexible wall may be impermeableto certain constituents of pollution such as fines, sediments, anddebris.

Meanwhile, the weight of the content of the filter bag and the hydraulichead or dynamic head defined and well understood in the art of fluidflow and representing the kinetic energy or the pressure equivalent orthe height equivalent in a column of liquid represented by the dynamicforce per unit area presented by a moving flow.

In certain embodiments, the flexible wall of the bag will include one ormore layers. Those layers may actually include a lattice or a network ofstrands defining spaces therebetween. Each lattice will have a verticaldimension and a horizontal dimension. The horizontal dimension runscircumferentially around the bag and the vertical direction runs alongthe height or length of the bag. The lattice is typically capable ofchanging its own dimensions within the vertical and horizontaldirections by virtue of the fact that it may be in fact a net. A net hasthe ability to stretch in one direction at the expense of contracting inan orthogonal (right angle) direction therein.

A mat layer may be included to include a non-woven material that may beinside, outside, or between a mesh or lattice type of layer. In fact,layers may be created and stacked up in any suitable way configured tobest protect the filter, give it an economical longevity of use beforethrowing away, recycling, cleaning, or otherwise recycling orre-purposing.

Typically this material is formed of a non-woven fabric or a non-wovennetwork of material with interstices or mesh constituting gapstherebetween capable of passing small objects or liquids, while holdingout any objects that are solid and larger than the mesh sizes. Mesh sizeis used here in its conventional sense. Mesh sizes are well understoodin all arts from baking and chemistry to manufacturing, from sortinggravel, rock, and soil to cosmetic or medical preparations.

Hydrocarbons or other liquids and vapors may be mixed with runoff water.Also toxins may be dissolved. Hydrocarbons may be toxic, but toxinsgenerally are considered to be vitamins that are inherently poisonous,such as heavy metals, certain chemicals, and the like. In quantity,hydrocarbons are often toxic, but hydrocarbons deserve being called outseparately from what is normally thought of as a toxin.

A scavenger may be included such as a magnet positioned within thefilter media, or somewhere within the filter path in order to attractconstituents that may be subject to magnetic attraction. Magnets may beused for other purposes, but are particularly useful for removingmetallic pollution, such as iron filings, iron pieces, magnetizedmaterials and the like.

Similarly, chemical compositions or chemical adsorbents and absorbentsmay be worked into, placed between, or constituted as a, or a portion ofthe scavengers in the filter. In certain embodiments, a product calledMYCELXTM has been found to be very useful in removing volatile organiccompounds, organic liquids, and a variety of pernicious toxins. Suchmaterial may be used in layers or as simply a scavenging device withinthe flow positioned to receive and obstruct the normal, comparativelysmaller and brief flows that enter a filter, while permitting a“persistent, comparatively long, gulley washer” runoff from a largestorm to simply pass thereover, as its concentrations will beineffective to remove.

In certain embodiments, a filter may be characterized by a service areaselected to operate as a first cross sectional area to pass water frominside a wall of a bag filter therethrough, and ambient conditions, andat a rate of flow preselected therefore, directly into a catch basin.The filter may also be configured to permit overflow characterized by asecond cross sectional area selected to pass substantially all flow ofthe water greater than the rate of flow preselected for passage throughthe filter on a continuing basis.

In this regard, the preselected flow rate may be selected to capture allthe solids of a particular, preselected size from water passing through,other than water passing during an excess storm condition as mentionedhereinabove. An excess storm condition is constituted by a persistentflow of water exceeding the preselected flow rate for which the filterbag is designed, and is capable of passing all the water through afilter medium.

A filter bag may have a length from a mouth defined by a rim to a loweror downstream end thereof at which a closure on the bag may gather thebag together, and pinch it off to close it. The closure may be securableto close the bag, and removable to open the lower or downstream end ofthe filter bag in order to empty it, clean it, service it otherwise, orthe like. The interior of the bag may sufficiently capture water, eventhough temporarily, causing that water to churn when an excess storm orexcess flow condition exists into the bag.

Typically, the water flows radially (outward) from a filter bag therebymoving from a position of less radius toward a positon of greaterradius. The water then moves therefrom into the catch basin. However, inpassing outward through the filter, it moves from a position ofcorrespondingly smaller cross-sectional area (perpendicular to thedirection of flow) to a position of correspondingly greatercross-sectional area.

The apparatus may be required to operate in a number of conditionsincluding one in which the bag is constructed approximate the rim from ageotechnical fabric resistant to abrasion. Only a downstream portion ofthe bag connects to a downstream portion of the rim and changes to afabric, net, lattice, or the like. It is readily permeable by water andfines (ultra-small particles such as fine sediment up to the size ofsand and the like). Accordingly, fabrics or filter media, which may bewoven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, geotechnical fabrics, mats, felts,paper, bead beds, or the like may filter or draw out solids, chemicals,and the like of the pollution.

The rim may be provided with a hoop tasked with stiffening the rim ofthe filter bag open and preventing it from passing through the hanger.Accordingly, a hoop also may provide registration vertically,circumferentially, or in other directions in order to synchronize orregister the rim of the bag with a seat shaped to hold it in the hanger.Thus, the hanger will receive the rim with its enclosed hoop at someregistered position. This registered position may be found automaticallyor sought automatically by the rim being piloted into the seat of thehanger.

Typically, a funnel may include a diverter. A funnel may operate just asfunnels always have. In certain embodiments, the funnel may have to beadapted so as to collect substantially all water passing through a grateinto a grate or other entrance into a catch basin. Thus, the funnel mayneed a diverter to carry water from some portion of a grate or entry wayover to be captured by the funnel. The funnel meanwhile carries asignificant load (force, pressure, head), and is responsible to containboth normal (comparatively low flow) and excessive (long and largestorms' runoff) conditions. Accordingly, a diverter may benefit fromlouvers cascading a portion of water down from one louver to anotheralong the diverter and toward the funnel. Diverters may be comparativelylong in certain installations, or comparatively short as in conventionalcurb inlets having cast iron hoods parallel to and coplanar with the topof a curb.

The length of a filter bag may be adjustable by application of some typeof closure such as a zip tie, a wire tie, a clamp, a rolling up, orother fastening mechanisms. The bag may be emptied by opening theclosure. The bag may also be adjusted in length by selecting theposition of the closure in order to optimize its operability within theconfines of a particular catch basin, which catch basin can varysubstantially in size from one location to another.

In certain embodiments, a funnel may be a flexible membrane or flexiblepolymeric sheet extending under a grate above a catch basin. In general,an outward flow of water is passed through the wall of a filter bag allof the flow passing into the bag. Quiescent head may also contributethereto. In that regard, the bag will typically pass water substantiallyimmediately and directly through the filter medium of the filter bag,and out into the catch basin.

In certain embodiments of an apparatus and method in accordance with theinvention, the method may include separating pollution from runoff byproviding an apparatus as a storm drain filtering system. This apparatusmay include structures positional between a thoroughfare and a catchbasin associated therewith. An interdiction system comprising a funnelmay be operably connected to suspend from that structure and redirectwater toward a filter.

A transition system may include a hanger suspended below the funnel andspaced apart therefrom. This provides an overflow space (which may ormay not be screened in by a mesh or net) between the funnel and thehanger for flood conditions or excessive flow conditions. A filter bagmay extend from a rim thereof at an upstream end thereof to a closuredefining a downstream end thereof. The rim may be stiffened by a hoop inorder to seat within the hanger, while the downstream end of the closuremay be capable of moving with flows as necessary.

Thus, the filter media form the walls of the filter bag. Theymay also bedistributed in certain ways to take out specific pollutants at placeslike the precipice of the rim, either inside or outside thereof, inorder to remove certain materials. This is a good location for itemssuch as magnets, chemical removal media (adsorbent and absorbent beadbeds), and the like. Ultimately, it will be preferred to position theapparatus in a catch basin downstream from an inlet and upstream from anoutlet thereof. In this way, individual filtration may occur by catchbasin rather than by combining them all in a storm sewer to be filteredor treated at some collection point downstream.

At an individual catch basin, a filter may collect in a bag pollutantsincluding solids, dissolved solids, dissolved liquids, and mixedliquids. Ultimately, the contents of the bag need to be disposed of byeither cleaning out the contents of the bag, disposing of the bag, orsome combination thereof. In fact, one may either clean and re-use orempty and retire the bag. One may instead remove and refurbish the bag,re-purpose, or destroy it, or the like. For example, part of the bag maybe metal mesh. On the other hand, the bag may include, or be containedwithin, a metal mesh. The metal mesh may provide for additional support,in order to render the filter media capable of resisting puncture,tearing, and rupture due to dynamic head or dynamic pressure thereagainst.

Bags may be made of wood products, such as paper, organic chip beds ofnatural materials, and the like. Filters may include natural orsynthetic fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers, or the like as necessary.In fact, certain geotechnical fabrics have been created that arecomparatively robust, resistant to mold, mildew, and microbial action,while being substantially lightweight and strong. These may be used asfilter media, or simply as support materials for preparing a rim of afilter bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of the present invention will become more fullyapparent from the following description and appended claims, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are,therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the inventionwill be described with additional specificity and detail through use ofthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cut away, upper perspective view of one embodiment of astorm drain filter system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cut away, lower, perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an upper, perspective, exploded view thereof;

FIG. 4 (including image insets identified as FIGS. 4A through 4J) is aseries of perspective views of several alternative embodiments ofinterdiction systems (runoff or storm water collection, capture, or bothas a means to gain control of the water) in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 5 (including image insets identified as FIGS. 5A through 5K) is aseries of perspective views of alternative embodiments of filterdirecting systems (transition systems) to move water from interdictionat an intake of a drain or other capture structure into a controlleddiversion, consolidation, or similar situation for passage toward andeventually into a filter in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 (including image insets identified as FIGS. 6A through 6K) is aseries of perspective views of various alternative embodiments of filterstructure and support, including attachment schemes for support,structure, and connections thereof, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is an upper, perspective view of one embodiment of a filter bagin accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a partially cut away, upper perspective, sectioned viewthereof;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the filter bag of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 11 (include portions identified as FIGS. 11A through 11C) is aprocess illustration of one method for fabricating a filter bag inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 12 (including image in set labeled FIGS. 12A through 12D) is anupper perspective view of a filter hanger in accordance with theinvention including various suspension concepts for installing andremoving filter bags in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 13 (including image insets labeled as FIGS. 13A through 13E) is aseries of upper perspective views of various embodiments of locating,installing, and achoring filter bags in accordance with the invention inunlikely places not meeting the requirements of street drains and curbdrains;

FIG. 14 (including image insets labeled as FIGS. 14A through 14H) is aseries of side elevation, cross-sectional views of various alternativelayup embodiments for fabricating the bulk of a filter bag in accordancewith the invention;

FIG. 15 (including image insets labeled as FIGS. 13A through 13E) 15Athrough 15E) is a series of upper perspective views of variousembodiments of hoops for supporting and registering a filter bag in afilter hanger in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 16 (including image insets labeled as FIGS. 16A through 16D) is aseries of detailed perspective views of various alternative embodimentsof closures for securing a filter bag in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 17 is an upper perspective view of a storm grate (a grate) inaccordance with one embodiment of such in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 18 is a lower perspective view thereof;

FIG. 19A is an upper perspective view thereof with an access port or lidas a hinged and removable grate independently openable and optionallyremovable from the principal grate thereunder;

FIGS. 19B is an upper perspective view of an alternative embodimentthereof;

FIG. 20 is an upper perspective view of a direction system or collectionsystem, including a funnel, a hanger, and a filter, for collecting stormwater from the inlets of storm drains of various configurations anddirecting it toward a filter bag in accordance with the invention, thisboth a funnel system and a filter hanger as well as a filter, configuredas a filter bag;

FIG. 21 is an upper perspective view of an alternative embodiment offunnel as an assembly in accordance with the invention, this beingadjustable on all sides and including supports for a filter hanger to besuspended therebelow;

FIG. 22 is an upper perspective view of a filter hanger, with itsdiverter for capturing water from a curb inlet and a street grate inlet,simultaneously, and directing such flow into a filter bag in accordancewith the invention, including a deck and wings for the diverter renderedadjustable thereby, and provided with shingled (cascading) louvers andslots alternating to direct all pollution objects and materials towardthe filter hanger and ultimately the hanger;

FIG. 23 is a lower perspective view thereof;

FIG. 24 is an upper, frontal, perspective view of an alternativeembodiment for a channel filter system in accordance with the invention,this embodiment directed to capturing storm water or other pollutionfrom storm water from open channels;

FIG. 25 is an upper, rear, perspective view thereof;

FIG. 26 is an upper, rear, exploded, perspective view thereof;

FIG. 27 is an upper, frontal, perspective view of the capture and filtersystem of FIG. 24 , illustrating its installation in an open channel;

FIG. 28 (including image insets labeled as FIGS. 28A through 28H, 28J

through 28K, and 28M through 28N) is a series of perspective andelevation views of various alternative embodiments of access, andfacilities therefore, to maintain, clean, and otherwise service a stormdrain filter system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 29 is a partially cut away, upper, perspective view, partiallyexploded, of one embodiment of a curb-inlet-type of storm water filtersystem in accordance with the invention, this is typically installedunder a sidewalk;

FIG. 30 is a cut away, upper, perspective view thereof illustratingadditional details;

FIG. 31 is a cut away, upper, perspective view thereof from the gutterside of a curb inlet;

FIG. 32 is an upper, perspective view of the filter system of FIGS. 29through 31 , this view illustrating certain diverter and backsplashstructures, with the infrastructure of curb, gutter, sidewalk, catchbasin, and drain pipe shown in broken lines;

FIG. 33 is an upper, frontal, perspective view of the infrastructureenvironment illustrating curb, gutter, sidewalk, manhole cover, anddrain pipe for an installation as illustrated in FIGS. 29 through 32 ;

FIG. 34 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the individual processsteps and subsystems, wherein each block may represent both a physicalsubsystem of an overall storm water drain and filter system, as well asrepresenting the components for that particular step of such a method;and

FIG. 35 is an upper, frontal, perspective view of a hoop in accordancewith the invention, compared against a ring of chemically-absorbingmaterials for stripping contaminants at a molecular level from a flow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be readily understood that the components of the presentinvention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawingsherein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of differentconfigurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of theembodiments of the system and method of the present invention, asrepresented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention, as claimed, but is merely representative of variousembodiments of systems and methods in accordance with the invention. Theillustrated embodiments will be best understood by reference to thedrawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.One should note that each use of a reference numeral with a trailingletter is simply an instance of a category of items identified by thereference numeral itself.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3 , while referring generally to FIGS. 1through 35 , a system 10 may be thought of as a storm water collectionand filtration system 10. As a practical matter, the system 10 inaddition to common infrastructure for storm water collection includes aunique capture system 11 seated within a catch basin 12. A catch basin12 will typically reside beneath a street 13. From the street 13 and itssurroundings, a catch basin 12 may connect by inlets 14, such as astreet inlet 14 a, a curb inlet 14 b, and so forth.

Of course, a catch basin 12 is provided with an outlet 15 that willconnect to the main collection system of a municipality. Meanwhile, acurb 16, and gutter 17 will be engineered to collect water from runoffdirected thereto from the crown of a roadway, a tilt or slight angle ofsurrounding surfaces, and the like.

Typically, an inlet 14 b in a curb 16 will have a cover 18 or hood 18,typically made of cast iron, and passing substantially parallel andcoincident with the top of a curb 16. Thus, when water passes throughthe gutter 17, bounded by the curb 16 on one side, and gravity urgingthe water toward the curb 16, that water will eventually pass through acurb inlet 14 b by way of underneath the hood 18. Thus, the hood 18 willtypically abut a sidewalk 19 immediately opposite the curb inlet 14 band adjacent the curb 16.

City infrastructure will typically include a grate 20 over a streetinlet 14a, sufficiently heavy to remain in place, sufficiently strong tosupport heavy equipment including trucks and automobiles passingthereover, and otherwise sufficiently robust to survive without movingwhile in position over the catch basin 12.

After passing through a grate 20 for a street inlet 14 a, or directlyunder a hood 18 for a curb inlet 14 a, the waste water or storm waterwill pass through the catch basin 12 surrounded by walls 22, or formedwith walls 22, and land on the floor 24 or in whatever water may haveaccumulated on the floor 24, without having drained out the outlet 15.As a practical matter, outlets 15 are typically right at the level ofthe floor 24 in order to regularly drain the entire contents collectedby a catch basin 12 into the outlet 15.

A grate 20 may be set in or on a frame 26. The frame 26 may simply bethe concrete formed for the purpose of holding the grate 20. In certainembodiments, the frame 26 may actually be formed of angle iron piecesembedded in concrete, or may even include a cast iron frame 26 fitted toa grate 20. Typically, the frame 26 may have a certain amount of draft(angle in progressing from upper most to lower most position), and thegrate 20 will typically require draft as a matter of manufacturingprocesses. For example, castings are very difficult to manufacture, andaccordingly expensive, if there is no draft angle to aid in removal ofthe cast object 20 from a casting mold. In some instances, a grate 20may be fabricated such as by welding spacers or cross members under orbetween an array of parallel bars having a width horizontallyconsiderably less than their depth vertically and calculated to supportthe weight of traffic thereon along the length of the array of bars.

In either event, whether the grate 20 is cast or fabricated, the frame26 will typically completely surround all sides and edges of the grate20. Typically, the grate 20 will be set into the frame 26 sufficientlylow as to be below the street 13. Thus, ideally, the grate 20 is flushat its top surface with the street 13 in which it resides.

The frame 26 may be nothing more than the ledge 27 or shelf 27 at thestreet inlet 14 a of the catch basin 12. However, in most construction,support near the curb 16 for the grate 20 will typically require a beam28 spanning under the hood 18 the entire length thereof along the curb16. Thus, support for the grate 20, and one side of the frame 26 willtypically be the beam 28. The beam 28 may be fabricated with the frame26, may be cast with the hood 18 as a part thereof, or may be assembledwith the hood 18 as a frame 26 is prepared to receive the grate 20.

In the illustrated embodiment, a filter system 30 may include a frame 31forming part of a funnel 32. The funnel 32 may be thought of as aninterface funnel responsible to capture all storm water passing throughthe grate 20. To that end, the frame 31 may be manufactured in a varietyof ways, including stamped sheet metal, fabricated metal, molded or castpolymer (plastic, rubber, geo-technical fabric, or the like).

However, in order to secure the frame 31 or frame portion 31 of thefunnel 32 under the grate 20, the frame 31 needs to be stepped, pinched,fastened, or in some way secured to stabilize the position and shape ofthe funnel 32 there. To that end, the frame 31 may be stepped to fit theledge 27, and typically on top of any frame structure 26 supporting thegrate 20 thereabove.

Other securement mechanisms may be provided including various types ofsuspension, anchors from a manhole cover thereabove, the grate 20itself, the wall 22, or even by extending supports from the floor 24.However, the inside of a catch basin 12 is typically quite humid havingsome residual amount of water that doesn't drain to the last dropthrough the outlet 15. Accordingly, the funnel 32 supported by its frame31 may be secured in any suitable manner to position the funnel 32adequately to receive all the water drained through the grate 20.

In order to support and position the filter hanger 34 (or simply calleda hanger 34) below the funnel 32, supports 33 may suspend the hanger 34a selected (and adjustable) distance below the funnel 32. As a practicalmatter, various connection schemes may be used for the supports 33.Chains, bars, tenons with pins (a tenon beam, an extension, typicallysecured by a pin through a hole passing through the tenon laterally,where the tenons length extends longitudinally).

For example, apertures 35 in the hanger 34 may permit passage ofsupports 33 therethrough to be secured by pins through the supports 33.In the illustrated embodiment, the supports 33 are tenons (bars havinglateral penetrations distributed along the length thereof) held by astop such as a pin aperture of support 33.

Chains may operate similarly and may also be secured by hooks, pins, orthe like. Other support mechanisms 33 will immediately suggestthemselves to suspend the hanger 34 below the funnel 32. Apertures 35,support rods 33 (tenons 33), and the like are easily adapted to use byvirtue of their simplicity to manufacture. Accordingly, the apertures 35and the supports 33 do not require welding, fabricating, and the likefor hooks, fasteners, and so forth to the funnel 32 nor the hanger 34 inorder to suspend the hanger 34 from the funnel 32.

Referring to FIG. 3 , while continuing to refer to FIGS. 1 through 35generally, a hoop 36 may be rectangular, circular, or polygonal(multiple sided) ranging from triangular to octagonal or more.Nevertheless, the hoop 36 is best serviceable as has been discoveredwith man holes. A circle cannot pass through another circle where theformer has an outside diameter larger than the inside diameter of thelatter. In this illustrated embodiment, the hoop 36 is shown in anexploded view. The actual position of the hoop 36 is within the rim 37.The rim 37 is typically formed by a seam, fold, or the like wrapping thehoop 36 therein, in order to secure the hoop to support the bag 40therebelow.

As a practical matter, the rim 37 may be formed in any of severalmanners. For example, typically, the rim 37 operates as a restraint 37or an oversized rim 37 unable to pass through the filter hanger 34. Thatis, the rim 37 defines or becomes the open end 37 opposite a closure 38.A certain gap between the rim 37, or more particularly between thehanger 34 and the funnel 32 provides an overflow 39 or gap 39 therebetween.

The filter bag 40, of which the rim 37 forms the upper part enclosingtherein the hoop 36, is the ultimate destination for the entire streamof water passing through the grate 20 or through the inlets 14 a, 14 b.It basically works in this fashion. The hoop 36 stiffens the rim 37 intowhich it has been sewn or folded, attached by tabs, attached by strips.Strips are attached by a portion of the filter bag 40 wrappedtherearound or cut into triangles or another shape and sewn back againstthe bag 40, itself, an edge binding like a blanket, or the like.

Thus, the rim 37 held in the seat 42 on the floor 43 of the hanger 34prohibits the rim 37 with its contained hoop 36 from passing through.All water, under conventional or modest flows, meaning not during a fullblown storm, will pass through the street inlet 14 a, inlet 14 b, by wayof the grate 20 or the curb inlet 14 b to be gathered by the funnel 32.

The funnel 32, if the quantity of water is modest (normal, everyday),meaning typical runoff, not from severe storms, but from smallsprinklings, waste water from irrigation of lawns, or the like, passesall water received from the gutter 17 along the curb 16. Thereafter,water passes into the filter system 30 by dropping pass the frame 31into the funnel 32 and past an overflow gap 39 to land in the hanger 34.The overflow gap 38 exists for the situations where the capacity ofwater to flow through the filter bag 40 at the same rate as it isentering, has been exceeded.

For example, during small squalls or storms that drop minimumprecipitation, or with the usual runoff of irrigation, overflows, andthe like from properties upstream along the street 13, the rate of flowwithout any significant pressure through the filter bag 40 will keep upwith the incoming flow.

In the event that the filter bag 40 becomes excessively full, then abackflow net 41, or a net 41 in the mouth or opening of the filter bag40 becomes engaged. At whatsoever point the flow into the filter bag 40exceeds the ability of the filter bag 40 to pass that amount of flowthrough itself and out into the catch basin 12, the water will be“backed up.” Thus, the filter bag 40 becomes filled.

A backflow net 41 formed in the mouth of the filter bag 40 or securedabout the rim 37 thereof, will be swept into engagement against debrisbeing churned up by the incoming flow. That is, the net 41 acts as afunnel 41 inasmuch as it has an orifice 41 a smaller than the rim 37.This orifice 41 a may be constricted by a drawstring or other mechanism.In fact, it may simply be fabricated with an orifice 41 a that issurrounded by whatever fabric or other material the filter 40 is sewnfrom. It may typically be sized for light particles of debris greaterthan 5 millimeters in their smallest dimension.

Since the water is directed down through the funneling effect of the net41, and specifically through the orifice 41 a, the flow path of thechurning water will be down through and below the orifice 41 a, and backup against the filter bag 40 toward the backflow net 41. Accordingly,the net 41 prevents anything over the specified size of the net 41(maximum mesh opening size) from escaping. Rather, it is captured by thenet 41, and remains there in the churning flow inside the filter 40, butdoes not escape, due to the net 41 passing water back up through the net41 out of the bag 40 and over the rim 37 to exit by way of the overflow39.

As a practical matter, sediments may be churned to a certain extent.However, they tend to compact near the closure 38 on the filter 40, andoften do not participate vigorously in such churning. In fact the bagmay include a pillow of material to capture fines near the closure 38.

The floor 43 of the hanger 34 may be a separate piece joined byfabrication or may be integrally formed or homogenously formed as a partof the overall hanger 34. For clarity, the floor 43 is illustrated withthe seat 42 separated therefrom. As a practical matter, in someembodiments, the seat 42 that receives and supports the rim 37 with itsincluded or enclosed hoop 36 may actually be a separate component.

Nevertheless, it may be made in various ways. For example, the seat 42may simply be an indented ring 42 inside the floor 43, and formedhomogenously and integrally therewith as a metal stamping. Likewise, aseat 42 sized to fit the rim 37 of the bag 40 containing the hoop 36without letting them pass, need only provide securement and alignment orregistration thereof.

In one currently contemplated embodiment, the hanger 34 includes thefloor 43 and the seat 42 as one integral whole. These may be formed bymetal stamping of sheet metal as a material, or may be assembledtogether as separate components. For example, the majority of the hanger34 may be formed of a geo-technical fabric, some other flexiblematerial, a polymeric device 34 such as a blow-molded plastic structure34 of one or more layers, or the like.

Accordingly, the seat 42 may need to provide additional stability,strength, hardness, or the like. Similarly, the floor 43 may need to beinserted or homogeneously formed (of one single material,simultaneously) in order to provide additional rigidity than the spaceavailable. Thus, the seat 42 and floor 43 may be assembled or formedintegrally. The hanger 34 may be formed with its floor 43 and seat 42 asintegral portions thereof.

One will note the pilot 44. The pilot 44 may be formed to receive an ear45 protruding from the hoop 26. Openings may be formed in the rim 37 inorder to accommodate extension of the ear 45. Similarly, the seat 42 maybe shaped to conform to and receive the ear 45, thereby registering(aligning and orienting) the rim 37, and necessarily the hoop 36, at aspecific position with respect to the seat 42.

In order to be able to place the bag 40 from a distance, such as bydropping down several inches or a foot or more into the catch basin 12,the pilot 44 may be formed as a male or female part 44. That is, variousembodiments of a registration pilots 44 and ears or other protrusions 45may be formed with either being the opening and the other being theinserted portion 45.

In the illustrated embodiment, pins 47 extend below or from the ears 45in order to penetrate a corresponding opening in the seat 42. These mayhelp to stabilize the hoop 36, and the rim 37 of the bag 40 when morevigorous action by incoming water may tend jostle the bag 40 and its rim37 free therefrom. Various types of pins 47 and other types ofconnectors 47 may be used to maintain the registration of the rim 37 andhoop 36 with respect to the seat 42 of the hanger 34.

Secured to extend from the hanger 34 are adjusters 48. Each adjuster 48includes a lateral portion 49 a or an arm 49 a, proceeding upward in anarc to form a vertical finger 49 b. The arm 49 a is responsible tosupport the weight of a diverter 50. The vertical fingers 49 b, whichactually arc upward and along a radius from the lateral arm 49 a ofeach, provide adjustment.

For example, each of the fingers 49 b is perforated to receive a pin.This pin may be moved along the finger 49 b in order to raise or lowerthe outermost edge of the diverter 50. Typically, the diverter 50 willsecure and feed into the hanger 34. However, the adjustability of thediverter 50 along the fingers 49 b provides a certain horizontal changeof distance in order to span between the hanger 34 and a back wall 22 ofthe catch basin 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the diverter 50 is relied upon toredirect water that enters the catch basin 12 by way of the curb inlet14 b. One will note that the diverter 50 has both a deck 51 a or a deckportion 51 a, and wing portions 51 b or wings 51 b. The rectangulardimensions of catch basins 12 are really not infinite in variety.Nevertheless, various sizes of catch basins 12 may need the wings 51 bto be extended from the deck 51 a in order to enlarge the capture areaof the diverter 50.

Both the deck 51 a and the wings 51 b include louvers 52. The louvers 52are cascaded or shingled. That is, each of the louvers 52 is fabricatedsuch that it differs in slope from its deck 51 a or wings 51 b,corresponding thereto. Thus, the apertures 53 or slots 53 under each ofthe louvers 52, will typically not be able to receive water directlythereabove. In a situation where water is pouring down over the louvers52 at a greater rate than can be accommodated, it may back up and flowback through the apertures 53. As a practical matter, this conditiontypically only occurs during an overflow condition in which water isalready being driven back out over the hanger 34 and possibly thediverter 50, itself.

The grate 20 in the illustrated embodiment has a top plate 55 in whichcan be seen various bars 56. Below the top plate 55 is a lower plate 57through which apertures 58 or openings 58 will typically pass. Thepattern of the top plate 55 need not be identical to that of the bottomplate 57. Therefore, the bars 56 and the top plate 55 need not align inevery instance with the exact shape of the bottom plate 57. However, asa practical matter, the apertures 58 will typically be the same, orsimply clear space in the corresponding region of the bottom plate 57.

Nevertheless, by shingling (overlapping, or at least cascading withouthorizontal apertures 53) the louvers 52, water cascades down the louvers52, depositing any particles larger than the effective gap of theapertures 53. In retrospect, looking back at FIGS. 1 through 3 , onewill note that the grates 20, which will be discussed hereafter in moredetail may each be formed to have a top plate 55 and a bottom plate 57.It is not necessary to do so, but great thickness and stiffness willrequire a certain section modulus.

Section modulus is a term of engineering art referring to the propertiesof a cross sectional area perpendicular to a given load in beam bending.One of ordinary skill in the art, and even one of the public skilled inthe art (the one being hypothetical, and the other being an actualperson) can repair to any reference on structural mechanics andstructural properties and materials define the definition of sectionmodulus.

Suffice it to say that section modulus is a property of any crosssection in beam bending. It amounts to an integration over the entirecross sectional area based on the distance from a neutral axis. That is,any item in beam bending having a load, for example on an upper sidethereof, with the longitudinal direction running horizontal thereto,will have compression at the outermost surface (outermost fiber) on thetop of the beam. It will be in tension at the bottommost fiber(outermost surface) at the bottom of the beam.

Necessarily, if the stress in a longitudinal direction in a crosssectional plane traversing laterally (horizontally and vertically)through a beam that extends horizontally in a longitudinal direction, iswell understood. Passing from on the top outermost fiber and tension inthe bottom outermost fiber, it is required that at some point, calledthe neutral axis (a horizontal plane extending in the longitudinal andlateral direction and perpendicular to a vertical plane), will have zerostress.

Nevertheless, the section modulus which includes the property of areaand the property of distance from the neutral axis will define thestiffness and therefore the load that can be carried by any beam. Thesection modulus is proportional to a base length that traverseslaterally across the longitudinal direction orthogonal to thelongitudinal direction and the vertical direction. Meanwhile, a depthdistance is a distance from the neutral axis to an outermost fiber.Thus, the depth in the example is a vertical direction. Depth ismeasured from the neutral axis to an outermost fiber, whether uppermostor lowermost in the example. Thus, the grate 20 may include a top plate55 and a bottom plate 57. Alternatively, it may be fabricated or cast ina single thickness. However, certain advantages may be obtained byforming it in two plates 55, 57. For example, the pattern, shape, and soforth may differ between the upper layer 55 or top plate 55, and thebottom plate 57.

Also in the illustrated embodiment, the grate 20 may include an access60. This access 60 may be considered a lid 60 or a smaller grate 60 aspart of the overall grate 20. The reality is that the access 60 existsto provide an easily serviced opening 6lthrough which the filter 40 canbe checked or lifted out. The access 60 exposes the filter bag 40 andprovides access to its hoop 36 from above.

In order to provide this availability by authorized persons only to theopening 61, the access 60 needs to be secured. Thus, it may be securedby a lock 62 to be described in detail hereinbelow. The lock 62 maysecure the access 60 or lid 60 against protrusions 63 (see also FIGS. 17through 19 ). A keyway 64 may be provided in a shape uncommon to access.The keyway 64 or keyhole 64 may provide access 60 to open and close thelock 62, thus discouraging the public (vandals, thrill seekers,unofficial persons, and so forth) from opening the access 60.

Typically, grates 20 are heavy on the order of hundreds of pounds.Accordingly, they can only be moved with proper equipment or withmultiple persons. By contrast, the access 60 is comparatively lighterrepresenting only a small fraction of the overall area and mass (andtherefore weight) of the grate 20. The keyway 64 is oriented in the hub65 a which may be connected integrally to the bars 65 b or dogs 65 b ofthe lock 62. The operation of the hub 65 a and the dogs 65 b or bars 65b in alternative embodiments may include from rotating or translating,or translation and rotary motion. Rotation is motion about an axis orcenter of rotation. Translation and rotation of an object are bothpossible simultaneously, but not in this illustrated instance.Translation is linear motion in a straight line.

One will also notice that the apertures 58 include a particular stylethat may be thought of as an interceptor 66. The interceptors 66 act asredirectors 66 for flows across the grate 20. Upon reaching the beams56, which may be louvered and therefore like turbine blades turninganything that drops below their upper surface in a down direction, ormay be simply flat.

In contrast, the interceptors 66 are cut deeply, preferably entirelythrough the top plate 55 in order to encourage flow thereinto andredirection downward and toward the center of the grate 20.Interestingly, the positioning of the interceptors 66 render theapertures 58 or openings 58 associated therewith to become access ports68. By spacing the access ports 68 sufficiently close together, a liftpoint 70 remains therebetween.

More will be explained hereinbelow regarding various features of thegrate However, suffice it to say that the access 60 may be raised on ahinge 71 to secure in an upright position or rather to make itshorizontal top surface stand in a substantially vertical position on itshinge 71 in order to provide access to a filter bag to be servicedtherebelow. Thus, a bag 40 may be secured by its hoop 36 or otherwisewithdrawn from its position in the hanger 34, and more particularly fromits position in the seat 42 of the hanger 34 to be lifted out throughthe access 60 to be dumped, discarded, cleaned, rehabilitated,refurbished, or the like. In fact in some embodiments, the entire bag 40and its contents may be repurposed as a “sandbag” or geotechnical“sandbag” for stabilizing various earthen structures.

Referring to FIG. 4 , while continuing to refer generally to FIGS. 1through 35 , in certain embodiments, an inlet 14 may receive waterdirectly from a gutter 17 on a street 13. For example, in panel 4A ofFIG. 4 , an embodiment is illustrated of having a grate 20 receivingwater from a street 13 and typically along a gutter 17. In analternative embodiment, the curb 16 may instead lead to a sidewalk 19 inwhich a manhole cover 72 serves as a penetration into a catch basin 12therebelow, as in panel 4B of FIG. 4 .

Throughout this disclosure, several of the figures have individual insetimages that show alternative embodiments of various details. These maybe labeled with trailing letters following the figure number. Thus,reference may be made to the overall figure by its figure number. Onemay also refer to the inset panels by the same figure number followed bythe trailing letter in order to distinguish them and identify thedetails represented thereby.

Referring to FIG. 4 , various types of flow and capture of runoff wateror storm drain water are illustrated. In this series of alternativeembodiments, different methods of engaging and controlling the flow areillustrated.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the hood 18 fits into the curb 16, therebydraining water that may accumulate on the grate 20 and exceed thecapacity of the grate 20 to receive it. In this embodiment, a grate 20and a hood 18 may both be placed along the curb 16 and gutter 17 of astreet 13 to receive water.

Referring to FIG. 4B, here the curb 16 passes along a sidewalk 19 intowhich a manhole cover 72 fits to cover a manhole 74. Necessarily, thegutter 17 bounded by the curb 16 at the edge of a crowned road 13 (wherecrowning means that the center of the road is higher than, and slopesdownward toward, the gutter 17). In this instance, the inlet 14 islonger horizontally compared to the opening 14 b below the hood 18.Similarly, the manhole 74 provides access to a catch basin 12 (notshown) therebelow.

Referring to FIG. 4C, an open gutter 17 having no grate 20 nor otherinlet 14 may be serviced by filter system 30 comprising little more thanthe filter bag 40, itself, held open by a rim 37 stiffened by a hoop 36therewithin. In some embodiments, the hoop 36 may be highly flexible. Infact, the hoop 36 may be replaced by a buoyant material tending to liftthe rim 37 away from the gutter 17 in the presence of water.

In such an embodiment, the rim 37 of the bag 40 may float on water,thereby forming an inlet 14 in the bag 40, directly from the gutter 17,and only in response to the presence of water. Thus, a car may driveover such a rim 37 with minimal or no damage. Meanwhile, the remainderof the rim 37 against the curb 16 and the gutter 17, as illustrated maybe anchored thereto by any suitable means.

For example, one may anchor the rim 37 by nails, screws, lag bolts, orcompression bolts (a lug is formed in pieces, which are penetrated by acenter bolt, thereby pushing radially outward the segments (pieces ofthe lugas spacers). A compression bolt may be placed into a drilled holesuch as in the curb 16, the gutter 17, or both.

Referring to FIG. 4D, a portable toilet 76 may be provided with an inlet14 and serviced by a filter system 30, such as a filter bag 40 under aseat 78. This particular embodiment has a different set of obstacles toovercome. However, liquids may be suitably separated from solids inorder to dry solids out for composting. Composting toilets exist, andsuch an arrangement would provide for remote composting of collectedsolids while liquids may be evaporated away by ventilation to theatmosphere.

Referring to FIG. 4E, in certain embodiments, a filter system 30 may bedrawn behind a watercraft in open water. Thus, an inlet 14 becomes theopening in the rim 37 of a filter bag 40 in accordance with theinvention. Again, fins may be attached to rotate the bag 40, such as ahydrodynamic plane or vane, and buoyancy device such as floats, expandedpolyethylene or other expanded polymer (plastic foam or elastomericfoam) may be secured to a portion of the filter bag 40, or the like inorder to maintain a particular orientation, or to rotate the bag 40 asdesired.

Referring to FIG. 4F, an open flow of water may drain directly down intoa filter bag 40. In this embodiment, the rim 37 may be supported by anysuitable means over a container 79 positioned to receive whatevertreated water 80 b may result from the incoming stream 80 a. Multipleembodiments of such a system may provide water 80 b suitable fordrinking from a container 79 in certain embodiments. In otherembodiments, sufficient additional treatment would be required beforethe filter system 30 would provide potable water 80 b.

Referring to FIG. 4G, a drain 15 or outlet 15 from a catch basin 12 orsome other source may be provided with a filter bag 40 directlyreceiving water from the outlet 15. In this embodiment, the rim 37 maybe positioned over the outlet 15, but may just as well be hinged orspring loaded to simply abut the outlet 15. In this way, excessive flowsmight apply their hydrodynamic head.

Head is defined by the kinetic energy of water, and relatedproportionally to the density, the square of velocity, and other factorsthereby directly translating into pressure. A distance represented ashead, is an equivalent height of that material density required to causethe same pressure, where pressure is force per unit area).

Thus, at too much dynamic head, or even static head (actual staticpressure of quiescent fluid), the rim 37 might partially separate awayfrom the outlet 15. Swinging outward therefrom will permit excessiveflows to bypass the bag 40. Typically, cleaned water 80 b outputtherefrom may simply drip down the outer surface of the bag 40, andultimately drip down the tail 80. The tail 80 is simply that portion ofthe bag 40 downstream from the closure securing, selectively the filterbag closed.

Referring to FIG. 4H, an outlet 15 may be passing from a first area to asecond area, and a responsible party may wish to provide a filter bag 40at the inlet 14 of that drain 15 or pipe 15. Thus, this may be thoughtof a conduit 15 such as a pipe drain 15, or the like. The water will beflowing toward the rim 37, of the bag 40.

In the illustrated embodiment, the hoop 36 may be shaped as thehalf-moon shape illustrated, or may simply fill only the portion of thebag 40 contacting the drain 15. In such an embodiment, an upper reach ofthe hoop 36, or more accurately of the rim 37 may contain buoyantmaterial in order to lift the rim 37 away from the portion of the rim 37in contact with the drain 15. In this way, excessive flows may simplyoverrun and flow over the bag 40, while smaller flows within thecapacity of the bag 40 may either pass through the fixed opening or afloating opening formed by the rim 37 augmented by buoyant materialwithin the rim area 37 of the bag 40.

Referring to FIG. 4J, in one embodiment, a funnel 32 acting as a capturesystem 11 may be placed in a channel 82. The channel 82 is shown asdefined by some structure in broken lines, which represents a ditch,channel, subsurface gutter (below the surface, but open to the surface),or the like. In this embodiment, the bag and specifically the rim 37 maybe stiffened by a hoop 36 therein the side that is formed conformal tothe funnel 32. More will be discussed hereinafter. However, thisillustrates an inlet 14 that may effectively take in the entire contentof a channel 82. This will occur unless and until that channel 82becomes obstructed due to overflow that may then pass over the top ofthe filter system 30 within the channel 82.

Referring to FIG. 5 , while continuing to refer generally to FIGS. 1through 35 , various embodiments of framing and support exist for afilter system 30 in accordance with the invention are illustrated. Theseembodiments illustrate different ways of supporting, framing, andotherwise orienting and positioning stably a filter system 30, andparticularly a filter bag 40.

Various alternative embodiments are shown for the filter system 30.These form the flow interface between the capture illustrated in FIG. 4, and access to the filter 40. For example, various mechanisms exist fortransitioning or interfacing between the capture through the inlets 14,and actual passage through the filter bag 40.

Referring to FIG. 5A, one will see a frame 31 as part of the outermostextremity of the funnel 32. This funnel 32 supports a hanger 34supporting the filter bag 40. In this illustrated embodiment, the funnel32 gathers or collects all water falling through a grate 20, or even acurb inlet 14 b, collected by a diverter 50. Thus, transitioning fromthe overall area covered by a grate 20 into the funnel 32, andthereafter into the hanger 34 for eventual disposition through thefilter 40 involves continual movement inward toward a center thereof,and down through the filter 40.

Referring to FIG. 5B, a sidewalk 19 type of installation having amanhole 74 covered with a manhole cover 72 may service an inlet 14 b ata curb 16. Again, this is another way of collecting, orienting, andotherwise directing a flow from an inlet 14 b toward a filter bag 40. Infact, in this embodiment, a backsplash 84 may urge water to not overshoot the bounds of the filter bag 40, and may be louvered just as thediverter 50. The diverter 50 may extend particularly far along andbehind a curb 16 (shown only in broken lines).

Referring to FIG. 5C, this method of transition or flow interface mayprovide relatively little interference or intervention by anything otherthan the rim 37 of the bag 40. In this instance, a buoyant float 86 a besecured to any or all of an upper part of the bag 40, the rim portion37, or the like. Such systems may operate with a stiff rim 37 supportedby an inside hoop 36, but may also serve adequately by collapsingagainst the curb 16 and gutter 17 when no water is flowing. Thus,manufactured almost entirely of fabric or other flexible and durablematerials, such as elastomeric and polymeric materials, the hoop 36 orbuoyant float 86 may tolerate being run over by the weight of a cartire.

Referring to FIG. 5D, hereagain, transition into a filter bag 40 isvirtually no transition at all. Solids are deposited directly in thefilter bag 40, dispensing with any need for the complex, previouslydescribed, structural connections to install it in the toilet 76 orportable toilet 76.

Referring to FIG. 5E, once again, transitions are minimal. Instead, thebag 40 may be drawn on a tether 88 behind a watercraft 90. Meanwhile,rotation of the bag 40 may be intentional. By any means, the tether 88may be connected to the bag 40 by a swivel 92. Thus, in order to preventtangled lines or twisted tethers 88, the swivel 92 may permit rotationof the bag 40 with respect to the tether 88 or watercraft 90. Similarly,a swivel 92 may be used to support a filter bag 40 within a catch basin12 as well.

Referring to FIG. 5F, a filter system 30 may simply include a tripod 94or other stand 94 providing the seat 42 under a rim 37 of a filter bag40. This may be suitable in catch basins 12 where an inlet 14 may simplybe another pipe. For example, in many manhole installations, one pipeenters and another leaves. Accordingly, such a system may be fed fromthe incoming line simply dropping the incoming water into the filter bag40. In other situations, such a support may be suitable when attachmentoverhead or to an adjacent wall is not available.

Referring to FIG. 5G, a system 30 in accordance with this embodiment mayprovide a rim 37 connected by a hinge 96 to a drain 15. In theillustrated embodiment, the hinge 96 may be spring leaded to closeitself, or other spring members may be added to urge the rim 37 of thefilter bag 40 firmly around or against the outlet 15 as a drain pipe 15.Accordingly, coilsprings, elastic blocks or bands, leafsprings, orsimilar components known in mechanic arts may be installed. These (oneor more) may be added in order to urge the rim 37 of the filter bag 40to close off against the outlet 15 drain pipe 15.

When the dynamic head is excessive, the rim 37 will simply move againstany spring load provided to the rim 37 by the hinge 96 or other springsotherwise connected thereto or therebetween (between the rim 37 and thepipe 15). The rim 37 opens against the spring force in order to provideoverflow. A point source may be provided with a filter bag 40 in thisconfiguration in order to avoid sending pollution entrained in thewaterflow onward into a storm drain system or network of a municipalityor an industrial entity.

Referring to FIG. 5H, in yet another alternative embodiment, an actualframed seat 42 may secure to a drain pipe 15 with a combination ofconnections made by suitable fastening mechanisms and supporting avertical filter bag 40 therebelow. Accordingly, when flows are modest,all flow will drop under the force of gravity from the pipe and filterbag 40.

Meanwhile, when flows are more than the filter bag 40 can pass, then theflows may simply overshoot to flow on past the filter bag 40. This willtypically only occur as a result of comparatively large “gully washer”types of flows associated with large storms, lengthy storms, orpost-initial-runoff flows in a storm.

Referring to FIG. 5J, a drain pipe 15 may be provided a filter at itsentrance to capture debris or pollution prior to the runoff waterpassing therethrough. In accordance therewith, fasteners 102 may installfor securing a rim 37 on the bag 40 at the entrance 100 of the pipe 15.In this way, comparatively smaller flows will pass into the bag 40,while overwhelming flows will bypass the remainder of the drain pipe 15.

The drain pipe 15 is illustrated as a corrugated pipe 15. In otherwords, a common, buried, culvert is typically corrugated in order tostiffen and strengthen the outermost walls. In this embodiment, thefasteners 102 may be clips, clamps, yokes (open throat with some type offastener, such as a clamp or clip) or the like. Meanwhile, buoyantmaterials may assist in opening the rim 37 at the uppermost partthereof, while the region in contact with the pipe 15 therebelow mayremain in place. In some embodiments, the top most portion of the rim 37may simply fit straight across, and not admit of movement. However, thisis a design choice whether to set a level for the rim 37 to cross theentrance 100 of the drain pipe 15.

Referring to FIG. 5K, a channel is represented defined by walls and afloor shown in broken lines and representing any type of boundary orwalls for a channel 82. In the illustrated embodiment, the framing andsupport illustrated show support on the bottom and the sides of thechannel 82, by a funnel 32 defining an inlet 14, and directing flowsfrom the channel 82 almost directly into a filter bag 40. More will bediscussed hereinbelow regarding details of various embodiments of such aframing and support system.

Referring to FIG. 6 , a variety of embodiments may be instantiated inorder to transition from capture to entry into a filter bag 40. Althoughsomewhat redundant, the images of FIG. 6 , including FIGS. 6A through6K, just as FIGS. 4A through 4J in FIG. 4 , and FIGS. 5A through 5K inFIG. 5 , illustrate details reflecting the flow interface or transitionfrom capture of FIG. 4 , into the bag 40 or filter 40. Framing andsupport, which need to be secured and anchored to some suitable support.That may mean the ground, a catch basin 12, a wall 22 thereof a floor 24thereof, or the like, including a curb 16, gutter 17, street 13, orother location suitable for anchoring and support.

Transition is another issue. For example, transition involves handlingboth a small amount of water and a large amount of water as it goes fromcapture to a filter bag 40, or to a bypass when necessary andappropriate.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the funnel 32 and hanger 34 are illustrated asdiscussed hereinabove. These transition to assure that all watercollected moves toward the rim 37 and ultimately the bag 40. Even thediverter 50 is formed with cascading louvers 52 covering the apertures53 in order to urge all materials toward the filter bag 40. Typically,articles larger than five millimeters are not permitted to pass. Theappropriate effective minimum or hydraulic diameter of an aperture 53between louvers 52 is about ⅛ inch or ½ centimeter. This corresponds toa typical, soggy, flattened cigarette filter or cigarette butt. If wateris backed up from the bag 40 to pass outward through the apertures 53,then any chemical treatments, chemical removal, or other treatments thatmay be effected by a suitable construction of the filter bag 40 may bebypassed. However, one hundred percent capture of the foregoing minimumsize of solid objects or larger objects may still be effected by such atransition mechanism as illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 6B, a similar system, and identical to one in FIG. 5 ,is illustrated with its various diverters 50 and backsplash 54. Theseassure that all water, or at least all solids in that water having overunder five millimeters in minimum dimension will be captured and shuntedtoward a filter 40 or filter bag 40. Again, transitioning may permitsome of the water to bypass the filter bag 40 by passing above the lowerreaches (solid portion or wall) of the diverter 50, and up through thelouvered portion thereof. Ultimately, water could possibly be thrustover the diverter 50, but this would be unusual, inasmuch as thisusually required a direction change right at the gutter 17. And curb 16.However, such systems may be comparatively longer than the hoods 18typical of combination (street 13 and curb 16 entry) types of catchbasins 12.

Referring to FIG. 6C, the familiar gutter-based bag 40 needs little orno transition. The rim 37 of the bag filter 40 is immediately presentedas the entrance 14 or inlet 14. The hoop 36 inside the rim 37 may beflexible, may be rigid, or may otherwise be adapted to survive possiblerunning over by vehicles. If shielded from vehicles, or in a locationwhere vehicles are not likely to go, or not otherwise permitted, thenthe rim 37 may be rigid. Otherwise, as discussed hereinabove, it mayfloat or may be sufficiently flexible to pop up, but crush down whenbeing run over by a tire of a vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 6D, transition is not a separate issue with a portabletoilet 76. The concept of capture is solved by intent and direction. Thestructure 76 already captures all the required transition.

Referring to FIG. 6E, likewise, in this embodiment the surrounding wateris being “dredged” by the filter bag 40 directly. No transitioning isneeded. However, transitions may be provided.

Referring to FIGS. 6F and 6G, various mechanisms for poured flows mayresult in a bag 40 supported at the rim 37 by any mechanism discussed,or any other suitable, with the bag 40 hanging down vertically towardits closure 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the bag 40 may actuallybe contained within a sealed shell or an impervious shell, fitted with aspigot 106 the spigot 106 may be valved or otherwise controlled in orderto pass fluid from inside the bag 40, to outside the bag 40, but stillwithin the impervious container 108. In this way, water may be purifiedin a cover layer such as a hard shell, flexible shield, or the like tobe passed into a suitable container 79 for immediate use.

Referring to FIG. 6G, the container 79 in this case simply receiveswater that has dripped down, adhering by surface tension to an outersurface of a filter bag It thereby filters through the bag 40, and thendrips down to a container 79.

Referring to FIG. 6H, transition here is direct, and requires no morethan the mechanical connection schemes described with respect to FIG. 5(and particularly FIG. 5H).

Referring to FIG. 6J, similarly, the filter bag 40 and particularly itsrim 37 may be secured by a suitable mechanism, such as the mechanicalsecurement of framing and support described with respect to FIG. 5 .Sitting directly at the entrance 100 of the pipe 15 or the drain 15, thefilter bag 40 is contacted directly by a flow with no transition,capture relying on the positioning of the drain pipe 15.

Referring to FIG. 6K, again the familiar channel-type of funnel 32 inthe channel 82 does provide transition both on the bottom and on thesides of the channel 82 defined by suitable walls 22 and floor 24 shownin broken lines. This is more transition than is typically provided inmany of the other alternative embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6 . Thefloor 24 forms a ramp effective to gradually urge water flow up over therim 37 and its supporting frame in the channel 82.

Referring to FIGS. 7 through 10 , while continuing to refer generally toFIGS. 1 through 35 , in one embodiment of a filter 40 in accordance withthe invention, a bag 40 may be made of multiple layers. In particular,the multiple layers may accommodate different functions required of thebag 40.

For example, the rim area 37 may be formed of a comparatively imperviousmaterial. In reality, it would be worthwhile to have all aspects of thebag 40 being of the same suitably filter-capable material. However,structural mechanics may require an inner layer or an outer layer tosupport forces inside.

For example, a felt-like non-woven material will typically need to bebacked by something like a steel grate, screen, metal mesh, iron mail,strong synthetic fiber net, or the like, meanwhile, in order to preventpunctures, it is sometimes advisable that gross debris such as sticks,leaves, and the like may need to be kept away from such a non-wovenfabric layer in order to protect from puncture. The stackup of layers ina filter bag 40 in accordance with the invention will be discussedhereinbelow in order to understand various options, their functions,benefits, burdens, risks, and so forth.

The rim 37 may include securement by a securement 110. The securement110, as a practical matter is a mechanism whereby the bag 40 is foldedback over itself about a hoop 36. Thus, the securement 110 may befabricated in any suitable manner.

For example, a securement 110 may include straps of a hook-and-loopfastener in order to confine the securement 110 at a diameter less thanthat of the hoop 36 inside the rim 37 of the bag 40. In otherembodiments, the bag 40 may be made so long that is simply folded overthe hoop 36, making the closure 38 to close the entire bag, which is theentire build-up of the bag 40 layered over itself, and all draped overthe hoop 36. Also, for example drawstrings, cords, elastic bands, seamsto the main portion of the bag or back to the rim 37 itself, loops,snaps, wraps, or the like may provide a securement 110. Various methodsof sewing may put a hem 110 as all or part of the securement 110 therebysewing a portion of the bag 40 to itself. In some embodiments, a moredurable abrasion-resistant material that need not even be permeablemight be draped over the hoop 36 to form the rim 27, with all of thefiltration materials secured therebetween by sewing around thecircumference of the bag 40 at that location.

One benefit of the tail 80 below the closure 38 is that bags 40 may bemade in a standard length, and later closed with a closure 38. This mayoptimize the capacity inside the bag 40 or adjust the lengths thereof tofit various catch basins 12.

Lift straps 112 may be positioned nearly anywhere to secure to the rim37, and particularly to act to lift the hoop 36 therein. In fact, in oneembodiment, the loops 112 may be made to pass from one extreme ordiametral extreme to an opposite diametral extreme. Additional length ofthe material may be added thereto in order to provide slack capacity ofsuch a strap 112 to pass over an lie down outside and below the rim 37and not interfere with filtration. When in use, such a strap 112 maylift the bag 40 from its seat 42 in the hanger 34. In alternativeembodiments, a strap 112 may be made in cruciform orientation such thatit connects to the rim 37. It may do so at various locations at aboutevery ninety degrees about the circumference thereof. This may militateagainst lifting or support at a single point at which all four strapsegments would converge.

In yet another alternative embodiment, a strap 112 may pass all the wayover the rim 37, and down into the bag 40, securing at some point belowthe closure 38. In this way, a bag 40 may be lifted, from the inside outin order to support its weight or size after being in service for enoughtime to fill up and expand. In such an embodiment, one or more straps112 may be secured to the rim 37, while one or more straps 112 may isconnect to the bag 40 near or below the closure 38. This may support theentire remainder of the bag 40 beginning at the closure 38.

Referring to FIG. 8 , multiple layers 114, 116 may be laid up in variousalternative configurations. In the illustrated embodiment, an outerlayer 114 is formed of a woven or net-like material, while an innerlayer 116 is a non-woven material, such as a felt or a thick specializedmaterial for filtering fines solid particles of very small effectivediameter. Effective diameter is hydraulic diameter. Fines are typicallysmaller than coarse sand, often smaller than fine masonry sand.Meanwhile, the anti-backflow net 41 or simply the net 41 may be formedof the same or a different material used to form the outer layer 114.

In certain embodiments, the net 41 may simply be an extension of theouter layer 114 passing around the rim 37 and thereby into the interior118 or interior cavity 118 of the bag 40. The net 41 may be restrainedas to its lower, inner diameter by a drawstring 120. The drawstring 120may simply be a loop defining an inner diameter of the net 41 inservice. On the other hand, the drawstring 120 may actually beaccessible in order to use as a lift mechanism or a lift point gatheringtogether the net 41, and closing the net 41 as a cover 41 over the bag40 during and following removal from its position in the hanger 34.

Referring to FIG. 11 , in which FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C make up FIG. 11 , aprocess of assembling a bag 40 is illustrated. For example, a sheet ofmaterial 122 may be rolled into a bag 40, typically of constant diametermoving from the flat condition of FIG. 11A to the right circularcylinder of FIG. 11B.

As illustrated, seamed together, by a seam 124 along the length thereof,the bag 40 may then be inverted to place the seam 124 inside. In someembodiments, the bag 40 may simply be folded back over a hoop 36 alongits midline 126. That is, a bag 40 may be formed with multiple layers bysimply folding the bag 40 of FIG. 11B back over itself, while a hoop 36is positioned at the midline 126. Thus, the addition of a closure 38opposite the midline 126 would form a bag 40 with the opening at themidline 126.

Referring to FIG. 11C, the hoop 36 may be moved inside between the twoportions of the convoluted bag 40, illustrating the hoop 36 outside ofthe bag 40, and also shown in broken lines its location inside the bag40 in order to establish or form the rim 37. Alternatively, multiplebags 40 may be formed, such as the outer layer 114 of a woven or netfabric, while the inner layer 116 is formed of a non-woven or other suchlayer 116. Thus, in either configuration, the hoop 36 is positioned todefine a rim 37 of the bag 40, by either sewing in or otherwisefastening the hoop 36 at one end of the bag 40, while the closure 38 isattached to close and establish the opposite, closed, end of the bag 40.

Referring to FIG. 12 , including FIGS. 12A through 12D, a variety ofconnection schemes. For example, even with a filter system 30 thatincludes a hanger 34, various types of handling mechanisms or otherstraps 112 may be attached.

Referring to FIG. 12A, straps 112 may secure to a rim 37, or may proceeddown through the inside, past the anti-backflow net 41 inside the bag 40and running along the inside of the bag 40 itself. Thus, the straps 112may initiate at the rim 37, but may pass all the way down the length ofthe bag 40. In this way, force may be applied along the entire length ofthe bag 40, thus providing additional support. Meanwhile, all the samefactors may be done in different arrangements.

Referring to FIG. 12B, for example, the single strap 112 may secure tothe rim 37 at diametrally opposite positions. The strap 112 may alsopass down through the net 41 along the inside of the bag 40 in order tobe able to pull not only at the rim 37, but all the way along the lengthof the bag 40. This may be important in order to consolidate materials,break up solid agglomerations, and the like.

For example, one problem with using a mesh material for an outer layer114 is that net has the physical property of changing in two dimensions.For example, a basketball net is a good example of flexible mesh. When abasketball strikes a net, friction of the net against the ball putsvertical force on the net. This vertical force stretches the netvertically, which causes it to decrease in diameter. The diamond shapeof the openings in the net exemplify exactly this stretching of thediamonds vertically while they contract horizontally.

This contraction therefore puts pressure around the ball, increasingfriction of the ball against the net, and slowing the ball in its travelthrough the net. When the ball has slowed sufficiently that the net hastime to expand, to accommodate the diameter of the ball, the diameter ofthe net begins to return, having less dynamic force applied by the ballin a vertical direction. It therefore can relax, expand in a horizontaldirection (circumferentially and radially) thereby opening up to allowthe ball to drop.

Similarly, net materials when filled, will draw down vertically andshrink in diameter. However, over time, the addition of more material inthe bottom of the bag 40 may also have the effect of expanding the bag40 back out in diameter. As a practical matter, typically, the amount ofwater and fluidity of the solids in the bag 40 will determine what thetrade will be, and to what extent the bag 40 will expand in diameterversus stretch in length in service.

Referring to FIG. 12C, a cruciform strap system 112 may include fourstraps 112 connected at several positions to the rim 37. As discussedhereinabove, the straps 112 may pass around the rim 37, or may passaround the rim 37 and down the inner wall of the bag 40 passing betweenthe net 41 and the bag 40 along the inside of the bag 40. In this way,the strap 112 may pass all the way to the bottom of the bag and serve toprovide distributed loading of the bag 40 along its entire workinglength. This may be important in certain constructions in order to beable to lift the weight of contents of the bag 40 by the rim 37 and itsenclosed hoop 36.

Referring to FIG. 12D, the net 41 may be drawn up from its regularpositon down inside the bag 40 to act as a hood 41 or cover 41. In suchan embodiment, the drawstring 120 in the net 41 may actually serve as astrap 112. In this embodiment, the net 41 is connected all the wayaround the entire circumference of the rim 37, or at least virtually so,thereby distributing a load about that circumference. Thus, a drawstring120 if sufficiently sized and robust in construction may simply draw thefull maximum diameter of the net 41 together to a small opening whichcan then support the entire load of bag 40 and its contents.

Referring to FIG. 13 , additional mechanisms for connecting a filter 40into a filtration system 30 may involve different types of collection orchanneling of flows. Accordingly, the filter bag 40 may take on variouspositions and orientations, as well as relying on various mechanisms forconnecting to a source of a flow. For example, in the illustratedembodiments, the filter bag 40 may be operating virtually alone or withsome other minimal structures to direct or funnel water toward theopening constituted by the rim 37 of the filter bag 40.

Referring to FIG. 13A, the filter bag 40 is disposed within a curb 16and gutter 17 on a street 13 in accordance with descriptionshereinabove. In this instance, the anti-backflow net 41 may beconfigured to prevent entrained solid materials of some minimum sizefrom escaping. Meanwhile, a float 86 may be disposed on top of the rim37 in order to raise the rim 37 to receive water passing along thegutter 17.

Again, in this configuration, one will note that an anchor 128 a withfasteners 129 is arranged to engage the curb 16. Similarly, anotheranchor 128 b is secured by a similar fastener 129 to the gutter 17.Other fastening mechanisms, from lag bolts or lag screws to compressionbolts, concrete nails, glue, or the like may be used to anchor the loweredge of the rim 37. It may anchor to the curb 16, gutter 17, or both,while the remainder of the rim 37 is free to collapse under the weightof a vehicle tire or to expand in response to the float 86 rising abovewater flowing along the gutter 17.

Referring to FIG. 13B, open areas, such as parking lots, streets 13, orthe like may have water running thereacross without constraints otherthan possibly some topographical variation in altitude or the like.Thus, a funnel 32 may be created by providing booms 130 extending aslong arms angled away from the rim 37 of the filter bag 40. In someembodiments, a weir 132 may be placed in the opening of the bag 40. Sucha function may also be served by the same anti-backflow net 41. That is,a weir 132 need not pass both over and above water flowing into thefilter bag 40. On the other hand, a single design of a filter bag 40having the anti-backflow net 41 completely circumscribing the rim 37 mayact as a weir 132, while still providing backflow protection thereabovein an overflow condition.

Referring to FIG. 13C, the now, somewhat familiar rim 37 of a bag filterinside a drain pipe 15 may be connected by any suitable manner, such asby an anchor 128, such as one or more of the anchors 128 a, 128 b.Anchors 128 may be connected in, on, around, inside, or outside of anopening 14 or inlet 14 of such a drain pipe 15 or drain 15.

Again, overflow may be accommodated by simply sizing the filter bag 40,and by forming the rim 37 with a hoop 36 therein the side that adheresclosely or exactly to an inner diameter of the drain pipe 15, whilebeing free to move flexibly hooped, or having a hoop 36 that flattensout to form an irregular shape for the rim 37 of the bag 40.

Referring to FIG. 13D, a drain 15 may connect by a frame 34 or hanger 34providing a seat 42 to receive the rim 37 and its enclosed hoop 36.Again, as a connection scheme, this illustrated embodiment provides adetail of one option. Such connection scheme is not absolute. In thisembodiment, overflow protection is provided simply by the orientationbetween the hanging bag 40 and the horizontal drain pipe 15.

For example, at comparatively smaller flows, the content of the pipe 15will drain down directly into the filter bag 40. At comparatively higherflows, exceeding the capacity of the bag 40, or the flow rate of thewater through the fabric thereof, the water flows will overflow thefilter bag 40 and overshoot, horizontally across the rim 37 and proceedon in to the surrounding catch basin 12.

Referring to FIG. 13E, a simple frame 42 may be installed as a seat 42directly in a channel 82 by any fastening method and hardware. The bag40 may be provided with a rectangular hoop 36 fitted and shaped to theseat 42. The result is a compact, simple, and nearly self-containedfiltration system 10.

Referring to FIG. 14 , including inset images identified as FIGS. 14Athrough 14F, a filter 40, and in certain embodiments a filter bag 40 maybe formed to have an inner layer 134 and an outer layer 136. Thefundamental function of a filter is to remove from a flow particlesgreater than a certain size, often referred to as a mesh size from theflow. Thus, the layers 134, 136 are responsible to remove particles of aparticular hydraulic diameter or effective diameter.

A hydraulic diameter is four times the area of a shape divided by theperimeter, sometimes called the wetted perimeter of that shape. This isa useful number when dealing with fluids or solids and fluids andtherefore is used here as the effective diameter.

For example, in dealing with fluid flows and the movement of solidswithin fluids, shapes that are odd or irregular may still be assigned ahydraulic diameter or effective diameter that will produce the correctresult in equations developed for regular shapes. Thus, by the formularthe hydraulic diameter of a circle is the diameter of the circle. Thehydraulic diameter of a square is the length of one side of the square.

Thus, here, we may speak of an effective (hydraulic) diameter of anopening in a sieve or screen used for capturing a particle passingthrough a filter 40. Meanwhile, the mesh size of any filter medium isthe effective diameter of a particle of regular or irregular shape thatmay pass through the mesh size.

Referring to FIG. 14A, the inner layer 134 and the outer layer 136 maybe formed of the same material. For example, fines (particular finematerial such as sediments and correspondingly small particulates suchas organic debris, dust, dirt, powders, comminuted surface materials andpaints, and so forth) may be characterized by a smallest effectivediameter. The mesh size of a non-woven or other filter medium may bedefined thereby in order to capture such particulate solids in the innerlayer 134. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner layer 134 and theouter layer 136 may actually be formed of the same material bondedtogether, or simply bound in a non-woven fabric material about anintermediate layer 138 therebetween. The intermediate layer 138 may be areinforcing layer 138 in order to provide more structural stability orresilience for a non-woven filter medium that may not provide sufficienttensile strength to resist rupture, penetration, puncture, tearing, orthe like.

Referring to FIG. 14 , while continuing to refer generally to FIGS. 1through 35 , various inset images (FIGS. 14A through 14H) illustrateoptional structural configurations (stackups 140) for the filter bag 40.FIG. 14 includes, incorporates, or is constituted bythe embodiments ofinset images identified as 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, and 14G.

Referring to FIG. 14A, in this embodiment, one may configure the filterbag 40 as comprising multiple layers integrated into a single layer. Forexample, an inner layer 134 may be constituted as a mat 134. By a mat134 is meant a material that is non-woven to operate as a filter toremove fines (fine sediment, as opposed to larger debris). In this case,the outer layer 136 is really integral with an internal reinforcementlayer 138. In the illustrated embodiment, the three layers 134, 136, 138may be bonded together or even manufactured as one. The reinforcementlayer 138 may be thought of as an embedded mesh for strength.

For example, the filter media used, (here using the Latin plural), maybe a stackup 140 constituting a wall 140 of a single layer, multiplematerials, bonded materials, freely separable materials, or the like. Inthis particular illustrated embodiment, the multiple layers 134, 136,138 are bonded together in order that the comparatively weaker non-woventypes of materials 134, 136 may be supported mechanically againstmechanical structural failure (tearing, breaking, rupture, penetration).In general, any filter system 30 will need some type of a filter 40,whether a filter bag 40 or some other shape of filter 40. Be that as itmay, mechanical strength in the face of hydraulic, dynamic, pressurehead must be supported. Likewise, perforation, penetration, tearing, andabrasion by debris within the flow of water into a filter stack 140 orstackup 140 must necessarily be resisted or prevented.

A filter is responsible to take out all solid materials greater than acertain size, mechanically support its own weight, the weight of anycontents therein, and the hydrodynamic, dynamic, pressure head pushingagainst it, and may also be tasked to take out another size of particlessmaller than some initially screened particles.

For example, a storm grate 20 keeps debris of a certain size mesh fromdraining into the filter system 30 and into the catch basin 12therebelow. Meanwhile, a screen or net mesh of a certain size may forman outer layer 134 of a filter stack up 140 in order to prevent acertain size of particle from penetrating an inner layer 134.

In the illustrated embodiment, the flow passes first through the innerlayer 136, which may then be supported or backed by either a reinforcinglayer 138 need not or by a comparatively larger mesh, outer layer 136.Alternatively, an intermediate layer 138 may have a small interstitialsize (mesh size) to collect fines. While an inner layer 134 firstexposed to the flow may have a mesh size considerably larger designed toprimarily prevent fouling of the intermediate fines layer 138. Thus, anouter layer 136 may be a backing or support for an inner layer 134 or belike the inner layer 134, leaving structural support to the intermediatelayer 138.

In some embodiments, the last filtration may be done by the outer layer136, with the inner layer 134 serving as a shield. Thus, the differentinner layers 134, intermediate layers 138, and outer layers 136 may bestacked up according to needs imposed by the pressure, force, the typesof debris and other pollutants expected, need for straining prior toapproaching a fines-capturing feature, and so forth, as described.Nevertheless, one interpretation of this particular illustration is asan integrated series 140 or stack up 140 of multiple layers 134, 136,138 bonded together or held in immediate contact with one another forproviding reinforcement, and filtration of sediments and other fines.

Referring to FIG. 14B, an outer layer 136 may provide a backing, whilean inner layer 134 provides filtration to the total extent expected fromthe stackup 140. In this embodiment, a gap 142 is permitted, and mayvary or collapse in the operation of the filter media constituting thestackup 140. In fact, one may refer to the stackup 140 as filter media,since media is a plural Latin term for medium, suggesting that thelayers 134, 136, 138 be each a single, consistent, homogenous medium134, 136, 138, together constituting the filter media that will be usedin the filter 40.

Referring to FIG. 14B, the inner layer 134 and the outer layer 136 maynot necessarily both be filter media. Typically, they will not be filtermedia having the same effective mesh size. For example, the outer layer136 may be the larger mesh, such as a netting forming the structuralsupport for the filter bag 40, while the inner layer 134 is an innerfelt or non-woven layer 134. Thus, all filtration is conducted by thesmallest mesh size corresponding to the inner layer 134. Meanwhile, theinner layer 134 and outer layer 136 in this embodiment have a gap 142therebetween rather than the intermediate layer 138. Of each of thelayers 134, 136 is at liberty to move with respect to the other. Thisprovides for better filtration, and better throughput with lessclogging. In fact, in certain embodiments, the gap 142 may actually beused to collect materials.

Referring to FIG. 14C, the inner layer 134 may be the structural layerhaving the largest mean effective mesh size. Meanwhile, the outer layer136 may be a medium 136 for filtering out fines. In this type of aconfiguration, the inner layer 134 will act to prevent larger debrisentering the filter 40 from abrading, puncturing, tearing, or otherwisedegrading the finer mesh outer layer 136.

Meanwhile, the gap 142 in this embodiment will tend to collect materialsthat have passed through the larger mesh size of the inner layer 134,but cannot pass through the smaller effective mesh size of the outerlayer 136. Accordingly, the gap 142 and the ability of the inner layer136 to move independently with respect to one another can allow suchmaterials to drop and thereby provide additional capacity, flow rate,and operation by the finer-mesh outer layer 136.

Referring to FIG. 14D, an embodiment including an inner layer 134 havinga comparatively larger effective mesh size is juxtaposed to an outerlayer 136 of the same material or similar. In this illustration, all thelayers 134, 136, 138 are at liberty to move with respect to one another,by virtue of gaps 142 therebetween. Accordingly, debris can fall downthe gaps 142 to clear additional space for reuse in the finer mesh ofthe intermediate layer 138.

In this embodiment, the inner layer 134 provides abrasion resistance andkeeps larger objects, such as leaves, twigs, bark, paper, wrappers,packaging, trash, litter, and other objects that might foul or simplycover the finer-mesh, intermediate layer 138. Meanwhile, the outer layer136 provides similar filtration, since it has an effective mesh sizecorresponding to the inner layer 134. However, in this situation, theouter layer 136 provides structural integrity to support the finer-mesh,intermediate layer 138 from bursting or otherwise failing in view ofdynamic pressure head existing inside the filter bag 40.

Referring to FIG. 14E, in yet another alternative embodiment, anintermediate layer 138 may be formed of a protective orlarger-effective-diameter, larger mesh size, material. In thisembodiment, the inner layer 134 constitutes the finest, while the outerlayer 136 supports.

The inner layer 134 may be for removing fines, but may alternatively beformed of a comparatively larger mesh size for filtering out largerdebris. Meanwhile, the layer 136 may remove fines. Ultimately, thebacking layer 144 operates as a structural support layer. In otherwords, no intermediate filter layer 138 is used. Gaps 142 separate thelayers 134 and 136, both of which are backed up by a backing layer 144.This may be a perforated metal wall, iron mail, a screen support, or thelike. In fact, the backing layer 144 need not provide any filteringfunction, but merely needs to have an interstitial gap between adjacentstrands of the structural material of such a screen or mesh 144,sufficient to support dynamic pressure stress against the inner layer134 and outer layer 136.

Referring to FIG. 14F, in certain embodiments, a single layer 134 may beformed of any suitable material, and may be formed of a non-wovenmaterial, a cellulous-based or forest product, and typically need toinclude fibers of various types. If non-woven, fibers calculated toprovide sufficient strength may be included in the layer 134. Otherfibers capable of conforming to the appropriate and pre-selected minimummesh size may need to be included. Thus, the individual layer 134 isresponsible for filtration as well as for the structural strength tosupport both dynamic pressure and loads of the weight of the contentinside the filter bag 40.

Referring to FIG. 14G, a particular method and stackup 140 areillustrated for sewing a bag 40. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, stitching 146 or other bonding mechanisms may be used toconnect layered materials. Various layers of material may be secured toform the filter bag 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the stitching 146may connect to various materials in different configurations.

For example, beginning at the upper outside, an anchor fabric 147 a maybe terminated and sewn to some type of an anchor fastener 147 b. Thesemay be eventually folded over a hoop 36 to be secured therewithin.Meanwhile, another anchor fastener 147 c configured to connect to theoriginal anchor fastener 147 b may be disposed on a lifting strap 112secured to the filter media layers 134, 136.

Meanwhile, the anti-backflow net 41 is secured to the layers 134, 136,but also contains a drawstring 120, which may elastic or inelastic. Thedrawstring 120 as described hereinabove forms a smaller diameter for thenet 41 providing the anti-backflow functionality. In some embodiments,it has been contemplated that the inner layer 134 may be of fibrousmesh, such as burlap. The outer layer 136 may be a synthetic fiberformed in a net a sparse mesh having strands interlinked.

Alternatively, as discussed immediately hereinabove, various othercombinations of layers 134, 136 may be sewn together. The wrap 147 d mayinclude a drawstring 120 in order to fit snuggly against the outer layer136. In certain embodiments, the hoop 36 may actually be sewn inside thelayer 147 a, which extends substantially around the circumference of therim 37. Stitching may be replaced by bonding. Similarly, the anchorfabric 147 a may be the same as but will typically be different from theinner layer 134 and outer layer 136 as described hereinabove.

Meanwhile, the fasteners 147 b and 147 c may be snaps, hooks-and-loopconnections, or the like. The lifting strap 112 may as describedhereinabove or of any suitable alternative shape. Typically, the outerlayer 136 can be as described hereinabove, but may be a structural layerin order to back a weaker material incapable of supporting the dynamicpressure loads. The various drawstrings 120 may be elastic or inelastic,according to the need for stability versus simply urging a specificminimum diameter defined thereby.

Referring to FIG. 14H, one alternative embodiment for fabricating afilter bag 40 and its associated rim 37 may include an elasticdrawstring 120, embodied either as an elastic cord seamed into an innerdiameter thereof, or embodied as an under layer 120 to draw the backflownet 41 across the upstream, opening end of the bag 40. In theillustrated embodiment, the rim 37 may be formed as the upper loopformed by the seam 146 or stitching 146. The lower stitching 146 maysecure an inner layer 134 and outer layer 136 to each other, and to therim 37 thereabove. In fact, the lower stitching 146 may capture togetheran inner layer 134, an outer layer 136, the anti-backflow net 41, aswell as the remaining fabric containing the upper drawstring 120. Incertain embodiments, the hoop 36 may be captured by fasteners asdescribed elsewhere herein, or may be passed either of the loops formedby the materials and stitching 146, (both high and low).

In the illustrated embodiment, the inner layer 134 may proceed upwardthrough the lower seam 146 or stitching 146 to extend freely thereabove.Meanwhile, the outer layer 136 may pass up through the seam 146 to looparound the upper drawstring 120 thereafter folding down to the upperseam 146, and terminated at the lower seam 146.

This simplified construction may be attached to seat against the seat 42of the hanger 34, thus orienting and registering the rim 37 with itsenclosed hoop 36 therein.

Referring to FIG. 15 , the hoop 36 may be formed in any one of severalconfigurations. One immediately available would be a ring having arectangular cross section through the ring itself and having noprotrusions 46, 47. However, in order to provide registration in acircumferential direction of the rim 37 and its incorporated or enclosedhoop 36, the hoop 36 may have alterations in its shape or may be a morecomplex shape.

Referring to FIG. 15A, the illustrated embodiment provides a hoop 36that is bent. The angle of bend is calculated to provide an overall topplan perimeter of the hoop 36 that is exactly circular. Thus, the hoop36 will fit through both the access opening 61 enclosed by the access 60or lid 60 in the grate 20. Meanwhile, the angled nature providesregistration against a mating seat 42 in the hanger 34.

Referring to FIG. 15B, the hoop 36 has a rectangular cross section,meaning a flat top, flat bottom, and right circular cylinder for sides.In this embodiment, a protrusion 46 or key 46 provides for registrationat only a particular location in which the seat 42 of the hanger 34 ismade to fit either the keys 46 or the keys 46 covered by the rim 37.

Referring to FIG. 15C, the rim 37 may have a rectangular cross section,and a circular shape. Thus, a top plan view would show a circular hoop36 bounded by an inner diameter and an outer diameter. Meanwhile,protrusions 46 or keys 46 act as pilots 46 to fit into apertures formedto receive them in the seat 42 o the hanger 34. In this embodiment, thetapered or triangular shape of the keys 46 provide for fitting moreeasily and readily into a circumferentially longer opening or aperturesized to receive of the key 46 at the hoop 36.

Eventually, the pilots 46 will move circumferentially in order to matchthe position of the apertures in the seat 42 manufactured to receivethem. In similar fashion, the thickness of each of the keys 46 may alsobe tapered in order to be narrower near the lower end or point whilebeing thicker at the upper end or base.

Referring to FIG. 15D, the hoop 36 is shown with a partially cut awaysegment in order to illustrate the cross-section of the hoop 36. In thisembodiment, the tapered shape may itself pilot the hoop 36 into amatching, tapered seat 42 formed in the hanger 34. For example, the hoop36 need not fit flat on a flat seat 42. In such an embodiment, seatingmay be totally adequate and vertical supportive forces made totally outof a sheet metal seat, having a flat bottom.

In such an event, however, the seat 42 will preferable be rimmed with avertical portion thereof stepping down to the seat surface 42 in orderto orient the rim 37 and hoop 36 in both an axially (vertical) directionand a radial (horizontal) direction. A hoop 36 in accordance with FIG.15D orients both vertically and horizontally or positions bothhorizontally and vertically the rim of the bag filter 40 wrappedtherearound to encase that hoop 36.

Referring to FIG. 15E, a hoop 36 may be formed into approximatelymirror-imaged halves. The hoop 36 may open in a pivoting or clam shellmanner by pivoting about the registration key 46 that may also operateas a hinge or pivot. For example, the illustrated embodiment is shownupside down, in order to illustrate the key 46, however, upon pivotingthe separate halves of the hoop 36 about the connecting point of thekeys 46, the hoop 36 may open to release its surrounding of anyparticular support mechanism.

In an alternative embodiment, the hoop 36 may extend to form a halfshell extending below each half of the hoop 36, thereby extending eithera cover around the outside of the bag 40, or a stiffening mesh of theinside of the bag 40.

Of course, a bag 40 may connect to the hoop 36 illustrated by any of themeans discussed hereinabove or elsewhere in this disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 16 , various embodiments included in inset images asFIGS. 16A through 16D provide various alternative closures 38. Theclosure 38A may simply be a ratcheting band type of fastener. These maycommonly be referred to as zip ties. Thus, the tail 80 simplyconstitutes any amount of the bag 40 that is unused. This may be acomparatively large or comparatively small amount if the closures 38 areused to affirmatively define and enforce the length of the bag 40, thenthe tail 80 may be substantial.

Referring to FIG. 16B, a closure 38 a may include a ring 149 a forreceiving a loop of the material from which the bag 40 is constructed.After drawing a portion of the bag 40, having been already gatheredtogether, and passing through the ring 149 a, may receive a pin 149 bthrough the loop of bag 40 fabric to provide a sufficient kink or changeof direction and pressure that will effectively close the bag 40. Atether 149 c may connect the ring 149 a to the pin 149 b to preventmisplacement or loss.

Referring to FIG. 16C, a simple drawstring 120 may be used as theclosure 38 c. The drawstring 120 may actually be threaded through loops,threaded through perforations in the material of the bag 40, may becontained with a sleeve therein, or may simply be wrapped around the bag40 and knotted. A drawstring 120 will typically serve best ifpermanently secured in some type of a sleeve, belt loop, grommet, or thelike.

Referring to FIG. 16D, in the tail 80 of the bag 40 may simply be rolledup and clipped together by a clip 149 d sized to securely hold the tail80 rolled up to an appropriate distance thereby closing the bag 40. Sucha closure 38 d is reliable and robust, and may take on many forms,including a spring type of clip 149 d, a clamp, a rigid frame type ofclamp with a threaded compressive foot increasing pressure to some valueto maintain the tail 80 securely closed. The tail 80 may be wrapped upon a spool or rod before applying the clip 149 d. This provides acomparatively harder surface than the comparatively compliant materialof the bag 40.

Referring to FIGS. 17 through 19 , while continuing to refer generallyto FIGS. 1 through 35 , a grate 20 may include a patterned shape ofperforations 58 or openings 58 for receiving storm water or otherrunoff. In the illustrated embodiment, these openings 58 may of anysuitable shape, defined by intermediate bars 56 or beams 56 capable ofcarrying a load, capable of restraining from entry certain large debris,and certainly for supporting vehicles passing thereover. In theillustrated embodiment, the grate 20 may actually be formed of an upperlayer 55 and a lower layer 57.

This is not necessarily required, but such an embodiment allows forcertain intentional differences between the pattern of bars 56 in theupper layer 55, and the lower layer 57. Thus, for example, a lock 62 maybe provided for closing securely the access 60 or lid 60. The access 60may be a small grate 60 in its own right provided with its own bars 56and intermediate openings 58.

Significantly, a central opening 64 may operate as a keyway 64 or akeyhole 64 to receive a specially shaped key capable of opening the lock62 positioned under the lid 60.

Referring to FIG. 18 , while continuing to refer to FIGS. 17 through19B, and generally to FIGS. 1 through 35 , the lock 62 may be formed tohave a hub 65 a or hub portion 65 a, and bars 65 b or dog 65 b. In oneembodiment, the hub 65 a and the bars 65 b constitute one solid massturned by a key entering the keyway 64, and fitted to engage the hub 65a and rotate therewith the bars 65 b or dogs 65 b. Meanwhile,protrusions 63 extending from the grate 20 may engage the lock 62 or thebars 65 a of the lock 62 to prevent lifting of the comparatively lighteraccess 60 away from the comparatively heavier grate 20 to which itpertains.

In alternative embodiments, the bars 65 b or dogs 65 b may be separatefrom the hub 65 a, and the hub 65 a may actually operate as a cam orotherwise be linked to push the bars 65 b outward under the protrusions63, to lock, or inward away from the protrusions 63 in order to open orunlock.

In the illustrated embodiment, interceptors 66 redirect flow to urge itdownward. In certain embodiments, the bars 56 may actually be louvers 56or veins 56. In such embodiments, common in the art, the bars 56 becomefins or hydrodynamically smooth veins 56 that immediately direct a flowof water downward upon entry into one of the apertures 58 or openings58. This is to prevent overshoot by water passing across an aperture 58from continuing to block water from entering a subsequent or adjacentaperture 58.

This may be understood as a shaped vane 56 or blade 56 that curves froman approximately horizontal topmost surface under the bar 56 to asubstantially vertical or severely angled portion aiming water downward.Otherwise, water may drop into an aperture 58, and continue nothorizontally, and not strictly vertically, but a combination forming atrajectory that therefore interferes with water dropping into theapertures 58 later on. Thus, it is often advisable to provide veins 56as the bars 56. These may sometimes be referred to as louvers 56.

The interceptors 66 may be associated with apertures 68 specialized toflank a lift point 70 near one or each end of the grate 20. The accessport 68 are actually a subset of the apertures 58, but are shaped,sized, and positioned to permit a hook or other suitable tool to reachdown through one of the ports 68, around the lift point 70, and upthrough the adjacent access port 68. In this way, a grate 20 may bequickly removed.

However, in the illustrated embodiment, including the access 60, thelock 62 may be actuated to unlock the access 60 or 60 b, which may thenbe opened and tilted up on its hinge 71. The hinge 71 may actually beconfigured in a unique way.

In certain embodiments, the hinge 71 may be formed by a pin (rod) underan L-shaped outer member that, when the access 60 is unlocked, permitsthe access 60 or access grate 60 to be lifted off directly in verticaltranslation (linear movement). By providing sufficient space, theoutermost member of the hinge 71 may wrap around a pin secured to thegrate 20 and set the access grate 60 in an upright orientation. In fact,providing a sufficiently large gap 151 around the hinge 71, the accessgrate 60 may be lifted to a vertical orientation, and dropped slightlyinto the gap 151 which thereby forms a stand containing the access grate60 in an upright, stabilized position.

For example, added to a basic grate 20 may be sponsor identifiers 157 a,logos 157 b of sponsors, manufacturers, or advertisers, advertising 157Cof businesses, causes, slogans, or reminders, medallions, 157 d showingcertifications, registrations, inventory numbers, or asset ID of a city,or a manufacturer's “boiler plate”157 e.

In certain embodiments, the protrusion 63 may be replaced by a shelf 63.In fact, in the illustrated embodiment, certain of the protrusions 63are circumferentially longer than others, thus providing something of ashelf 63 on which the access grate 60 may rest.

In certain embodiments, in order to alter access or protect the lock 62or even to sufficiently stiffen and strengthen the section modulus ofthe access grate 60, additional reinforcements 152, here shown as yokesconnecting to the bars 56 of the access grate 60 and open to step overor bypass any interference with the lock 62.

Referring to FIG. 19B, in certain alternative embodiments, the accessgrate 60 or the lid-like access 60 may actually contain a logo, image,inscriptions, or the like. Accordingly, the shape of its bars 56 andapertures 58 may be modified in order to provide a particular shape,words, symbols, trademarks, logos, or the like. Similarly, along withthe access ports 68, other apertures may be formed through the grate 20to receive fasteners.

For example, just as the interceptors 66 provide additional relief(depression, reduction in height, defilade space beneath an uppersurface of the grate other recesses may be formed in the grate 20 toreceive logos, labels, warnings, sponsorship identification, messages,or the like.

These may be indented to be protected by the upper surface 154 of thegrate 20, by being suppressed slightly therebelow.

To do this, a recess need be formed such as the interceptors 66, whichrecess may not be open on any of its perimeter. Thus, dropping amedallion 157 or the like into such a recess, and fastening it there maybe done by a fastener penetrating through from the underside 155 orunder surface 155 of the grate 20. This may permit securement theretoand protection thereby, with respect to the top surface 154 of the grate20.

Referring to FIGS. 20 through 23 , while continuing to refer generallyto FIGS. 1 through 35 , details of both the funnel 32 and the hanger 34are illustrated, as well as the filter bag 40 or filter 40. In theillustrated embodiment, one will see the details of the embodiment of aframe 31 surrounding a funnel 32. As a practical matter, the frame 31need not be attached to the funnel 32.

For example, in certain embodiments, the funnel 32 may be formed of aflexible material. That flexible material may be captured by a pinchbetween the grate 20 and the surrounding frame 26 or ledge 27 of thecatch basin 12. Also, for example, a material forming the funnel 32 maysimply be deployed having an aperture 156 sized to pass incoming waterdown to the hanger 34 and ultimately through the hoop 36 and rim 37. Solong as the edges of that material may be secured against slipping out,it may be held in place by fasteners, pins, grips, corrugations, shaped“ways” and mating grooves matched to pinch the funnel 32 therebetween,or the like.

A frame 31 for the funnel 32 need not be required. In other embodiments,the frame 31 may simply be constituted by rods or bars rolling up excessmaterial of the funnel 32 membrane, and then being captured, locked, orotherwise fastened, in any suitable manner near the frame 26 under thegrate 20 of the catch basin 12.

The funnel 32 may have an opening 156 sized in any appropriate dimensionand shape. In one embodiment, the opening 156 may be shaped tocorrespond to, but exceed, the size of the hoop 36. For example, foreasy access, one may lift a grate 20 or an access grate 60 having aclearance diameter of open space sufficient to pass the rim 37 and hoop36 with the suspended bag 40 therebelow completely up from the seat 42of the hanger 34 and up through the opening 156 of the funnel 32.Thereby, access for removal, emptying, washing, turning inside out,pressure washing, back flushing, or otherwise cleaning, destroying,recycling, or reusing the bag 40 with or without its contents 40 may beimplemented.

One may see that the seat 42 may be stepped. In alternative embodiments,it may simply be sloped in order to receive a hoop 36, such as the hoop36 of FIG. 15D. nevertheless, a stepped shape having a horizontalsurface and a vertical surface to capture, align, and otherwise registerradially and axially (vertically) the hoop 36 and rim 37 of the filtersystem 30 therein.

The wings 51 a, 51 b are an optional feature for those catch basins 12having a curb inlet 14 b immediately adjacent or actually continuoustherewith. The configuration of a hanger 34 to receive the supports 33is as described hereinabove. Nevertheless, other methods of binding orotherwise fixing the hanger 34 to the supports 33 that may be used.

Referring to FIG. 21 , a funnel 32 may be configured to be universallyadjustable. Rather than the frame 31 being continuous and formed of asingle piece of sheet metal, plastic, flexible sheet materials, or thelike, it may be formed of interlocking and adjustable components 153 athrough 153 c.

For example, in the illustrated embodiment, four corners 153 a or cornerpieces 153 a may be spaced apart on, or otherwise may be engaged with,adjustable sides 153 b and ends 153 c. Apertures 153 d passing througheach of the pieces 153 a through 153 c admit fasteners therethrough inorder to adjust the relative positions thereof.

For example, the sides 153 b and ends 153 c may have multiples holesadmitting of numerous positions by which to match (align with)corresponding apertures 153 d in the corners 153 a. Thus, a single setof corners 153 a may be used in conjunction with a set of sides 153 band ends 153 c to accommodate numerous different sizes of grates 20 andtheir underlying catch basins 12.

Meanwhile, supports 33 acting as connectors 33 between the funnel 32 andthe hanger 34 positioned therebelow, may drop through the apertures 35,and stopped in place by heads thereon, or pins, as inserted into thesupports 33 below the hanger 34.

Referring to FIGS. 24 through 27 , a filter system 30 may be configuredas a channel 82 oriented system 30. In the illustrated embodiment, thefunnel 32 may be comprised of a floor 158 or ramp 158 connected todirect water from a channel 82 into the filter bag 40. The floor 158 mayconnect to wings 160. Typically, the wings 160 are pivotable to open upsufficiently to substantiate occlude or cover the channel 82.

Thus, the floor 158 or ramp 158 is deployed to capture substantially allwater running along the channel 82, while preventing depositing ofentrained solid pollution in front of the filter 30. The wings 160 aredeployed against outer boundaries of the channel 82, the adjusters 162may be fixed to stabilize the floor 158 and wings 160 with respect toone another. One will notice on the back or downstream edges of thewings 160 a registration surface 164. In the illustrated embodiment,this is shown as forming a right angle. It may actually be a slot(C-shaped like channel iron in cross section). It thus encloses the rim37 of the bag 40 and its interior, rectangular hoop 36 not visible,although present as described hereinabove. In the illustratedembodiment, pins 166 may insert into slots or to engage slots 167 in thewings 160, thereby holding the rim 37 in place.

Accordingly, an anchor portion 168 or anchor 168 may be fastened to thebottom of the channel 82 in order to secure the funnel 32 therein. Theanchor 168 may take various shapes, and may be positioned to hold thewings 160 against sides of a channel 82 instead. However, bypassingunderneath by water is the commonly expected problem.

In practice, the adjusters 162 may be secured by some suitable fastenerto fix to the floor 158 and the wings 160. Each adjuster 162 may pertainto a single side of the channel 82. Meanwhile, the floor 158 andadjusters 162 may be integrated into a particular shape, may be moldedof a polymer or fabricated from a sheet material and secured in thechannel 82 and to the bag filter 40 by its rim 37.

Referring to FIG. 28 , which includes inset images identified as FIGS.28A through 28N, various additional options, components, and subsystemsaccess and service as necessary for a system 10 in accordance with theinvention.

Referring to FIG. 28A, the familiar filter bag 40 is illustrated withthe lifting straps 112 attached thereto. As discussed hereinabove,various versions of lifting straps 112 are discussed hereinabove, andprovide a simple, straightforward, and durable mechanism for removingthe bag 40 by its rim 37 directly from its seat 42 in the hanger 34.

Referring to FIG. 28B, the closure 38 as described hereinabove mayprovide access out the bottom end of the filter bag 40. By removing thepin 149 b from the ring 149 a, the tail 80 of the bag 40 may be releasedto become simply an opening for dumping the content of the bag 40. Thus,access need not be exclusively through the rim 37 of the bag 40.

In fact, in this type of a configuration, removal of the ring 149 a andpin 149 b to free the bag 40 to its full diameter permits passage of asiphon, a vacuum line, a sprayer hose, or the like through the bag 40.In certain alternative methods, the bag 40 may be turned inside out andsprayed from within its inside-out shape. This provides back flushingfrom the outside to the inside. This may dislodge all sizes ofpollution. That includes debris, all pollutants, and all fines exceptfor chemically bound materials. Chemically bound materials may need tobe removed from the bag by a chemical wash, elevated temperatures,extraction by reacting with some other solvent, reacting withpreferential chemical that will remove them from activated carbon orother absorbants or adsorbants in the constitution of the bag 40.

Referring to FIG. 28C, the closure 38 may be of any particular type.Various types may be easier to open than others. For example, if a ziptie is used as a closure 38, than it must be cut to free up, andtherefore must be replaced upon reuse. This may provide no problem.Nevertheless, the selection of this type closure 38 may be made to morereadily open the closure 38, clean the bag 40, and again engage theclosure 38. Rolling up the tail 80, or other mechanism may bepreferable. The bag may be used for only one use. This would apply forsituations using forest products or combustible fiber products, for anon-woven inner layer 134, or for any layer for collecting fines. Anouter layer 136 may be removed, to be reused, while an inner layer 136is extracted and thrown away in a landfill, consumed in an incinerator,or embedded as a recycled form of “sandbag” in an earthen structure.

Referring to FIG. 28D, one method of access is to drop vacuum line 169through an access 60 to remove the contents of a bag 40. This may bedone as part of evacuating out the entire catch basin 12. For example,the bag 40 may be opened at the closure 38, and pressurized flush may beadministered by a wand containing spray heads being passed down throughthe interior of the bag 40. Accordingly, at the same time, the vacuumline 169 may be passed down to empty out solids from the bag 40, and toretrieve any wash residue or other contents that have dropped to thefloor 24 of the catch basin 12.

Referring to FIG. 28E, a disposal truck 170 may access the grate 20 byopening or removing it and then retrieving the bag 40 using anarticulated arm 171. Thus, any service truck 170 may have the properequipment 169, 171, of any necessary configuration to access thecontents of the bag 40 in order to collect them and transport them toanother location. In various types, and equipage for, trucks 170 orvehicles 170 may be employed in order to transport contents or the bag40 away from a catch basin 12 to be serviced by replacement, emptying,washing, recycling, re-purposing, or the like.

Referring to FIG. 28F, one vehicle 170 may operate as a lifter. Anothervehicle 170 operates as a transporter carrying the bags 40 aftercollection to a particular location for servicing or other dispositiontogether at some central location rather than being serviced immediatelyonsite.

Referring to FIG. 28G, an alternative method of accessing the filtersystem 30 within a catch basin 12 is by a strong electromagnet 172suspended from an articulated arm 171 on a vehicle 170. In thisembodiment, the electromagnet 172 may be placed on a grate 20 andenergized to attract it, permitting the articulated arm 171 to lift thegrate 20 away from the catch basin 12 to be replaced in the sameprocess, reversed, after servicing the system 30.

Referring to FIG. 28H, various specialized tools 173 a through 173 d maybe connected on a multi tool 174. In the illustrated embodiment, themulti tool 174 may be connected by its center to any attachment schemeto be suspended from an articulated arm 171 on a service truck 170 orother vehicle 170. In the illustrated embodiment, the tool 173 a is ahook of a particular shape, such as might access the lift point 70 onthe grate 20. Similarly, grates 20 having a different shape of beam 56may instead require a different shape of hook 173 b.

Likewise, alternative shapes such as the tool 173 c may be required. Byhaving a single multi tool 174, access to various objects may beavailable. For example, the shape of the tool 173 c may best fit underthe lift point 70 of a grate 20. Meanwhile, the hook 173 a may serve toconnect to the filter bag 40. Meanwhile, the tool 173 d may be threadedin order to engage a threaded and cooperative attachment 173 e on thegrate 20 or some other location.

Referring to FIG. 28J, in one embodiment, a tool 173 f may include abarb 173 g that will pass through the keyhole 64 or keyway 64. In thisinstance, the keyway 64 may be directly in the grate 20, or in thesmaller access grate 60. In either event, the barbs 173 g may passthrough the keyhole 64 then spring open to engage the grate 20 or accessgrate 60. Retraction of the barbs 173 g may permit extraction of thetool 173 f after replacement after the grate 20 or access grate 60 totheir appropriate places.

In another alternative embodiment, a grate 20 may simply be accessed bya tool 173 h in which a key portion 173 j passes through a keyhole 64,to then be rotated to engage the grate 20 or access grate 60 forremoval. In this embodiment, various contemplated configurations may beused to provide additional benefits. For example, a tool 173 h mayinclude a spring, or a scale to read out the weight. Similarly, themulti tool 174 may include a hook with a scale as one of the individualtools 173.

One should note that each use of a reference numeral with a trailingletter is simply an instance of a category of items identified by thereference numeral itself. Accordingly, it is proper to speak of thetools 173 as a group, while identifying individual instances of tools173 by their designated trailing letters such as 173 a, 174 f, and soforth consistent throughout this disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 28M, tools 173 k may be hooks 173 k for engaging thelift point 70 through the access ports 68 as described hereinabove. Inthis instance, the entire grate 20 with or without the access grate 60(in other words, whether a new type of grate or a conventional grate)may be accessed by the hooks 173 k to lift the grate 20 to access theinterior of the catch basin 12, and specifically the filter system 30for service.

Referring to FIG. 28N, the access grate 60 as described hereinabove.Thus, the various options illustrated in FIG. 28 provide numerous waysto get access to the filter system 30, to pass through the funnel 32 toaccess the filter bag 40, and provide services to refurbish, recycle,replace, or otherwise deal with the collected pollution.

Referring to FIGS. 29 through 33 , a catch basin 12 may be serviced in asomewhat different manner than described hereinabove. For example, incertain environments, a manhole cover 72 and the associated manhole 74may be installed in a sidewalk 19. Such a system 10 may service a gutter17 along a street 13 bounded by a curb 16. In the illustratedembodiment, the manhole cover 72 need not be a grate 20. Nevertheless,it may be provided with a lock 62 in accordance with the invention or ofsome other type. Notable in this illustrated embodiment are the presenceof a diverter 50 configured to collect along a rather extensive lengthof curbing 16, and the inlet 14 passing thereunder toward the catchbasin 12.

In this embodiment, a filter system 30 may be installed that requires adiverter 50 fitted by a combination of a deck 51 a and wings 51 bsubstantially more extensive than in a conventional street type grate20. In this particular embodiment, the inlet 14 into the interior of thecatch basin 12 must move the water a substantial distance to accessfilter bag 40.

In this instance, because the manhole cover 72 and its associatedmanhole 74 are offset away from the inlet 14, the filter system 30 maybe suspended from the periphery 176 defining the diameter andcircumference of the manhole 74. Accordingly, the supports 33 may passdirectly from a perimeter 176 of securement in the manhole 74, down tosupport a funnel 32, a hanger 34, both, or simply one thereof.

For example, since the significance of the diverter 50 is essential tothis configuration, in order to handle the offset and still be able toaccess directly to the filter bag 40 upon opening the manhole cover 72,the deck 51 a may be extensive, and may tend to direct all of the flowthrough a particular opening, passing the water toward the filter bag 40with the backsplash 84 may be preferred.

In the illustrated embodiment, the other accoutrements of louvers 52 andapertures 53, providing cascading of overflow toward the filter hanger34 or hanger 34 will still operate as described hereinabove.

Referring to FIG. 34 , a process 180 or method 180 in accordance withthe invention may also be interpreted as specific components insubsystems. Thus, each schematic block diagram should be interpreted torepresent not only the hardware component of the subsystem, but also asimilarly named system in deploying, implementing, operating, andservicing an apparatus in accordance with the invention.

The process 180 or method 180 includes the steps of flow 181,interdiction 182, structures 183 for interdiction and transition,connections 184 and connecting 184, filters 185 and filtering 185,access 186, discharge 187, cleaning 188, or refurbishment 188, or both188, transport 189 include a storage 190 or disposition 190.

Flow may be defined by both the physical environment guiding ordirecting a flow, and the flow of polluted water through such. Forexample, the flow 181 may involve a gutter 17, a curb 16, a street 13,open surface (e.g., parking lot), a channel 82, or the like.

Likewise, interdiction 182 may be vertical or horizontal. Interdiction182 may involve moving water or may actually involve quiescent water. Inother words, some interface 182 with the flow 181 representsinterdiction 182. This may involve the use of grates 20, street inlets14 a, curb inlets 14 b, or the like for interdicting the flow 181, andcommitting it to enter the catch basin 12.

The structures 183 may reach back to some of the structures required forinterdiction 182, transitioning 183 or transitioning structures 183trying to collect all water arriving at an inlet 14. This may apply to astreet inlet 14 a or curb inlet 14b, with their associated grates 20,and the like.

At this juncture, the process relies on the activities or the servicesof supports 33, a diversion 50, a funnel 32, a hanger 34, the filter 40itself, backups of water through an overflow 39, or retention ofpollutants by the filter 40, by the catch basin 12, or both.

Connection 184 may represent connecting, maintaining connections, andthe physical hardware responsible for connections. To this end, theconnections block 184 may represent various anchors anchoring to astreet 13, a curb 16, a gutter 17, a sidewalk 19, a wall 22 of a catchbasin 12 or a floor 24 thereof. Similarly, various connections may bemade to a frame 26 of a ledge 27 under a grate 20 in a catch basin 12.Thus, various types of anchors may be involved including connection tothe ground, to curbs 16, to gutters 17, to channels 82, and so forth.

Likewise, registrations such as between keys 46 and the seats 42 ofhangers 34 may fit within this category. Similarly, pilots 46 orprotrusions 46 as keys 46 extending from hoops 36 may representregistration and connection, as well as positioning. Thus, conduction ofwater through all handling including grates 20, funnels 30, hangers 34,filters 40, and intermediate diverters 50 may all be implicated withconnections both mechanical and fluid. For example, connections may bemade for mechanical support against gravity, against dynamic headpressures, and for conducting fluid with proper containment, includingtotal containment where required.

A filter 185 or filtration 185 may involve filtering out gross materialssuch as debris, defined herein as materials that are effectively lighterin water in density, as opposed to fines that represent materials thathave a density greater than that of water. Thus, debris may involvenatural products such as leaves, stems, bark, branches, and the like, aswell as non-naturally-occurring materials such as chunks of rubber wornfrom tires, paper, plastic, wrappers, and who knows what else that maybe swept by runoff water toward a catch basin 12.

Accordingly, some of the considerations of the filtration includecapturing gross materials, which will typically not be sediments (whichwould make it a rock), but limbs, leaves, and large particles of organicmaterial or debris.

Meanwhile, sediments represent fines (although fines may also be formedof paint chips, comminuted particles of debris, and the like) which tendto settle more quickly, and require the smallest effective mesh sizes infilter media of the filter 40. Likewise, considerations must includemolecular considerations such as heavy metals, dissolve solids, mixedchemicals or dissolved chemicals, and other pollutants that must beremoved from a particular flow of water. Similarly, pressure is aconsideration for the integrity of all filters 40, with excess content,pressure, or flow. Thus, overflow is a significant consideration in afilter 40.

Access 186 will typically impact installation, servicing, protectionagainst vandalism, protection of workers and so forth. Accordingly,protection systems involve procedures and hardware associated with thesystem 10.

Discharge 187 is primarily directed to hardware and method steps forremoving the content of a filter 40. This may be accomplished byremoving the entire filter 40, or by removing content from the filter 40through a top, through a bottom opening, by re-purposing the filter bag40, by refurbishing such a bag filter 40 after cleaning, or simplydisposal of the filter bag 40 and content together. Such operations asincineration may serve to clear chemicals, volatiles, organic material,and leave only a pure soil and ash material.

Cleaning 188 may involve primarily cleaning, refurbishment, recycling,re-purposing, or other treatment of the filter 40 itself. A system 10may typically have to address, to remove or otherwise handle, gross(large) debris such as cigarette filters and cigarette butts, organicmaterial, wrappers, packaging and other litter that may find its way toa catch basin 12, and the like. Similarly, cleaning 188 should typicallyaddress how to handle the fines captured within the filter media of afilter

Accordingly, certain bag filters 40 may be recyclable, others may berefurbishable, and others may be completely cleanable in order to beimmediately reinstalled. Cleaning 188 may be conducted onsite in certainembodiments of a process 180 in accordance with the invention, or may bedone offsite after collection of filters 40, whether those filters 40will be buried, burned, cleaned, recycled, refurbished, re-used, or anyother disposition.

One priority in certain environments is the cleaning 188 of chemicals.This may be done as discussed hereinabove. It may be necessary to reactor dissolve in a solvent certain chemicals captured in the filter 40.Burning or heating the filter 40 maydenature chemicals or react them byoxidation and so forth. Similarly, certain materials may be cleanedsimply by heating (activated carbon) or by leaching from an adsorbtionbead or filler, or an absorbtion medium.

Transport 189 may often involve storage in multiple movements of afilter 40, its content, or both. In transporting, extraction may beinvolved in removing contents from both the filter 14, catch basin 12,and any transporting vehicle 170. Similarly, emptying of both the filter40 is a consideration, and of any transporting vehicle 170.

Washing and the additional water may require are considerations duringtransport 189 and storage. This may depend on what contents predominateor are present, or must be removed in order to meet local requirementsmay vary substantially from site to site. Likewise, the configuration oftrucks 170 or other vehicles 170 will depend on the mechanisms toprocess the grates 20, the filters 40, the contents of filters 40, andso forth. Another consideration is accommodating any other accoutrementssuch as lift arms 171, vacuum systems 169, and the like. Similarly, ifcollection is done, onsite but pollution is handled elsewhere, one maybe required to collect filters 40, their contents, water from washingand the like.

Ultimately, disposition 190 may be disposition of wet materials, drymaterials, or both. Again, processes of heating, drying, incinerating,washing, and the like may result in residues and must be kept incisterns or capture locations in order to be further processed, orfurther moved to be buried, burned, recycled, further cleaned, or thelike.

Referring to FIG. 35 , one alternative embodiment for a chemical removalsystem involves a ring 192 having pads 194 therein. The ring 192 may beheld together by a core 196 threaded through a number of pads 194. Thatis, an inside diameter of a physical object in a circular configurationsmaller than the outer diameter, and forming turns along acircumference, may be complicated and expensive. In contrast, the pads194 may be rolled or otherwise formed to have a center hole therethroughcapable of receiving the core 196 threaded therethrough.

The core 196 may be metal, such as chain, a metal ring, wire rope, steelcable, cord, or the like. Similarly, the core 186 may be a line 196,such as a rope 196 or the like. The ring 192 or chemical treatment ring192 may be placed immediately within the rim 37 of the bag 40.

In other embodiments, it may be placed outside an inner layer 134, andsealed by an impervious outer layer 136 to force all water therethroughafter having passed through an inner layer 134 of filtration. Sincewater will not pass through an outer layer 136 that is impervious, itwould pass down through the chemical treatment 182 before exiting thefilter system 30.

In other embodiments, in order to prevent mechanically covering orfouling, the ring 192 may be surrounded by netting. Any gross filterwith a comparatively large minimum mesh size mayprevent covering up thepads 194 by debris that might otherwise block passage there through bythe water containing chemicals therein.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its purposes, functions, structures, or operationalcharacteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in allrespects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of theinvention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather thanby the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaningand range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is: 1-19. (canceled)
 20. An apparatus comprising: a structurecapable of receiving a flow of waste and capturing solids from the flow,by directing the flow as runoff through a filter bag capable offiltering out solids swept along with the runoff; the filter bag,wherein the solids comprise sediment more dense than the runoff anddebris less dense than the runoff; the filter bag formed to have anupper portion and lower portion, the lower portion formed of a filtermedium capable of collecting the sediment while passing watertherethrough, and the upper portion comprising a magnet disposedadjacent a rim of the filter bag and a backflow preventer formed of aflexible material extending radially inward from the filter bag andcapable of directing the debris back into an interior of the bag belowthe backflow preventer while passing the runoff out of the filter bagthrough a sphincter bounding an interior edge of the backflow preventer.21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein: the structure is rigid andinteroperable with the filter bag to be capable of maintaining the upperportion open to receive the runoff; and the structure comprises a hatchopenable above the filter bag.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, whereinthe backflow preventer operates as a net, a flexible lattice definingspaces between strands capable of changing vertical and horizontaldimensions of the spaces in response to forces of the runoff.
 23. Theapparatus of claim 20, wherein the lower portion comprises a non-wovenfabric treated to be capable of reducing at least one of: fines,constituting a portion of the solids; hydrocarbons mixed in with therunoff; and toxins dissolved in the runoff.
 24. The apparatus of claim20, comprising a scavenger including at least one of: a second magnetdisposed in the filter bag to attract a magnetically responsive portionof the solids; and a chemically responsive material positioned to removefrom the runoff selected chemicals passing over the chemicallyresponsive material.
 25. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein: the lowerportion is characterized by a surface area to pass the runofftherethrough, at a first, lower rate of flow preselected therefor; andthe backflow preventer is characterized by an opening characterized by across-sectional area selected to pass substantially all flow of thewater greater than the rate of flow preselected.
 26. The apparatus ofclaim 25, wherein the preselected flow rate is selected to capturesolids of a preselected size and density from the water except during apersistent flow exceeding the preselected flow rate.
 27. The apparatusof claim 20, wherein the structure comprises an adjustable frame capableof adjustably fitting into a catch basin.
 28. The apparatus of claim 20,wherein the runoff flows radially out of the filter bag through thefilter medium when a runoff flow rate incoming is below a designed ratepreselected therefore, and reverses to flow upward and out of the filterbag through at least one of the mesh of the backflow preventer and acentral opening therein, when the runoff flow rate is greater than thedesigned rate preselected.
 29. The apparatus of claim 20, comprising:the structure capable to fit within a catch basin to capture waterreceived as runoff from a thoroughfare and to direct the runoff into thefilter bag, and spaced apart from the filter bag to provide a gaptherebetween operable as an overflow passing excess water backed upduring an overflow condition of the runoff into the filter bag; and ahatch operable to access the filter bag from above the structure.
 30. Anapparatus comprising: a structure capable of receiving a flow of wasteand capturing solids from the flow, by directing the flow as runoffthrough a filter bag capable of filtering out solids swept along withthe runoff; the filter bag, wherein the solids comprise sediment moredense than the runoff and debris less dense than the runoff; the filterbag formed to have an upper portion and lower portion, the lower portionformed of a filter medium capable of collecting the sediment whilepassing water therethrough, and the upper portion comprising a magnetdisposed adjacent a rim of the filter bag and a backflow preventerformed of a flexible material extending radially inward from the filterbag and capable of directing the debris back into an interior of the bagbelow the backflow preventer while passing the runoff out of the filterbag through a sphincter bounding an interior edge of the backflowpreventer, wherein the backflow preventer operates as a net, a flexiblelattice defining spaces between strands capable of changing vertical andhorizontal dimensions of the spaces in response to forces of the runoff.31. A method for separating solids from a flow, the method comprising:providing a structure operable to support a filter bag placed in a flow;providing the filter bag comprising a lower portion formed of a filtermedium capable of collecting sediment, particulate matter more densethan water, and an upper portion comprising a magnet adjacent a rim ofthe filter bag and a backflow preventer capable of directing debris,matter less dense than water and of size comparatively much larger thanthe sediment, radially inward into the flow received by the filter bag;providing the back flow preventer with a sphincter having a diameterless than that of the filter bag at the back flow preventer, the backflow preventer being flexible, secured to the filter bag, and having aninner edge of diameter less than that of the filter bag where secured,to redirect backflows, moving counter to the flow incoming, back intothe flow incoming; positioning the structure so as to expose the filterbag to the flow; and collecting, by the filter bag, the sediment anddebris received from the predetermined flow into the filter bag.
 32. Themethod of claim 31, further comprising discharging back through thesphincter overflow exceeding the predetermined flow for the filter bag.33. The method of claim 31 comprising: removing the filter bag from thestructure by use of the magnet; and removing the sediment and debris;and operably reconnecting the filter bag to the structure.
 34. Themethod of claim 31, comprising: providing a hatch in the structure abovethe filter bag; opening the hatch; removing the sediment and debris; andreturning the filter bag into service.
 35. The method of claim 31,comprising providing the structure with adjustable framing sized andshaped to adjust to fit multiple sizes of catch basins into which toinstall the filter bag.
 36. The method of claim 31, comprising at leastone of: returning the filter bag into service after cleaning outcontents of the bag; and disposing of the filter bag and the contentsafter removal from the structure.
 37. The method of claim 31, whereinthe structure comprises a hatch and the method comprises selectivelyopening the hatch to service the filter bag.
 38. The method of claim 37,wherein the hatch is supported by an adjustable frame as a portion ofthe structure, adjustable to fit a range of sizes of catch basins. 39.The method of claim 31, wherein the filter bag comprises fabric.